Grow module for plant vessels

ABSTRACT

A grow module, a plant growing system, and methods for using the same are disclosed herein. The grow module comprises a plurality of tray modules including a light tray over a growing tray. The light tray includes a lighting array and at least one sensor. The growing tray is adapted to hold a plurality of plant vessels. The grow module comprises a machine-readable identification. The grow module is configured to hold the plurality of tray modules in a vertically stacked configuration. The lighting array on the light tray is configured to provide light to the plurality of plant vessels on the growing tray in the grow module directly under said light tray.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 63/252,525, filed Oct. 5, 2021, the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 63/252,533, filed on Oct. 5, 2021,the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/236,512, filedon Aug. 24, 2021, the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.63/138,391, filed on Jan. 15, 2021, and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 63/138,389, filed on Jan. 15, 2021, each of whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The inherent difficulties of growing, maintaining, and shipping largeindividual quantities of edible plant matter are sufficiently extensivethat the field doesn't have a particularly strong record of innovation.Mistakes at any point in the growing, maintaining, and/or shippingprocess(es) often instantly lead to unusable products, with nopossibility of recovery or regeneration. In short, the methods andapparatus for growing, maintaining, and shipping large individualquantities of edible plant matter impose requirements of precisionwholly unknown in most other industries. Each individual stage for themethods and apparatus imposes its own separate challenges.

Existing methods of storing, maintaining, and monitoring plants andseeds or seedlings pose a number of challenges. “Plant” in thisdisclosure refers to a living organism of the kind exemplified by trees,shrubs, herbs, grasses, ferns, and mosses, typically growing in apermanent site, absorbing water and inorganic substances through itsroots, and synthesizing nutrients in its leaves by photosynthesis.“Seed” in this disclosure refers to a flowering plant's unit ofreproduction, capable of developing into another such plant. “Seedling”in this disclosure refers to a young plant, especially one raised fromseed and not from a cutting. Storage devices for plants seeds orseedlings in quantity are often quite limited in adapting to variableplant growth, e.g., as plants grow larger, storage devices often cannotre-size their shelving or other organizational means on the basis ofindividual plants or collections thereof. Devices don't adapt to plantgrowth; rather, larger plants simply go into larger (or more widelyspaced) devices. Plant maintenance in storage devices is also oftenoverlooked, as said devices lack the means to provide effective lightand circulating air needed for all plant growth. Since storage devicesdon't easily adapt to plant growth throughout a complete cycle, e.g.,from germination to finishing, monitoring plants or collections ofplants for various conditions as well as capturing images of said plantsbecomes difficult as plants grown sorted in a storage device accordingto varying criteria (e.g., size) may need commensurately differentmonitoring criteria. Finally, the means of moving plants between a plantstorage device and a means of fertigating said plants extracted fromsaid device is often labor-intensive and prone to mistakes as to theprecise fertigation needs of individual plants. “Fertigation system” inthis disclosure refers to a system used to inject fertilizers andnutrients, used for soil amendments, water amendments and otherwater-soluble products into an irrigation system. The fertigation systemmay also inject water and/or nutrients into plant vessels.

Existing fertigation systems also encounter several challenges whenattempting to fertigate a large quantity of plants, each plant or groupof plants at differing growth stages—from seeds or seedlings to shootsto plants—and thereby requiring differing quantities of water,nutrients, air, and so on. “Water” in this disclosure refers to H₂O. Thewater may be freshwater, grey (i.e., reclaimed) water, or may includedissolved nutrients and/or minerals. “Nutrients” in this disclosurerefers to the solid (e.g., non-liquid and non-gaseous) chemicalelements, including nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, and potassium,essential to the nourishment of plant health. Plants grow at differingrates and use a combination of customized liquid, solid and gaseousnutrients if they are to reach their full growth potential. Plantsgrowing in large collections may need monitoring at all growth stages,not least to adjust their fertigation needs as they mature. Individualplants, regardless of the scale at which they are grown and maintained,also need more than soil, water, light, and nutrients, though all fourare important. The locations of these components and the timing scheduleat which they are delivered to a growing plant are additionallyimportant for plant growth.

Existing vessels for growing individual plants in large quantitiesexhibit several obstacles to successfully delivering packaged edibleproducts. These obstacles include effectively delivering water andnutrients to the plants and controlling the climate conditions aroundthe plant given the potential interactions between the plant and thegrowing medium as well as the interaction of the growing medium with thesurroundings within the microclimate. Additional obstacles includeprotection against harsh handling when the plants are distributed,evaporation, effective watering of the growing medium, etc.

A need therefore exists for both a method and system for controlling,storing, feeding, efficiently growing, monitoring and deliveringindividually secured and maintained edible plant products.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A grow module is disclosed comprising a plurality of tray modulesincluding a light tray over a growing tray. The light tray includes alighting array and at least one sensor. The growing tray is adapted tohold a plurality of plant vessels. The grow module comprises amachine-readable identification. The grow module is configured to holdthe plurality of tray modules in a vertically stacked configuration. Thelighting array on the light tray is configured to provide light to theplurality of plant vessels on the growing tray in the grow moduledirectly under said light tray.

A method of growing plants, seeds, or seedlings, is also disclosed. Afertigation system is used to extract a growing tray comprising plantvessels from the disclosed grow module. The fertigation system includesa tray movement system for extracting the growing tray from the growmodule and placing the growing tray back into the grow module. Thefertigation system further includes a tray elevator for lowering andraising the growing tray, a first pump in fluid communication with atleast one of a fresh water supply and a nutrient/water mixture, and anozzle manifold in fluid communication with at least one of the firstpump, the fresh water supply, and the nutrient/water mixture. The nozzlemanifold comprises a manifold header and at least one nozzle in fluidcommunication with the manifold header, wherein the at least one nozzleis configured to inject at least one of the fresh water supply and thenutrient/water mixture supplied by the first pump into the plant vesselson the growing tray. The plant vessels include plants, seeds orseedlings and a substrate in a root zone. The method next includesraising or lowering the growing tray toward the plurality of nozzles.The method then includes injecting at least one of nutrients, and thefresh water supply into plant vessels. The method concludes with placingthe growing tray back into the grow module.

A plant growing system is disclosed, comprising a plurality of plantvessels, comprising an impervious outer vessel including a substrate ina root zone, a cover over the impervious outer vessel, a perviousmembrane in contact with the substrate, a nutrient chamber includingnutrients, wherein the nutrient chamber is between the cover and thepervious membrane, and the nutrients are in contact with the perviousmembrane, and a pocket allowing a seed or seedling access to thesubstrate through an aperture in the cover and the pervious membrane.The plant growing system further comprises the previously described growmodule, further including at least one fan and at least one powersupply, the growing tray adapted to hold a plurality of plant vessels, agrow module base, a machine-readable identification on the light tray,and a grow rack configured to rest on the grow module base, the growrack configured to hold the plurality of tray modules in a verticallystacked configuration. The plant growing system further includes thepreviously described fertigation system.

Finally, disclosed herein is a method of growing plants, seeds orseedlings, using the system described above, the method beginning withusing a fertigation system to extract a growing tray comprising plantvessels from a grow module. Next the growing trays are raised or loweredtoward the plurality of nozzles. At least one of nutrients and the freshwater supply are injected into the nutrient chamber without puncturingthe cover. The method concludes with placing the growing tray back intothe grow module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, themost significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to thefigure number in which that element is first introduced.

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B illustrate a grow module 100 in accordance with oneembodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a grow module showing growing tray direction 200 inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a spacing for exemplary finished and germinatingplants in the grow module 300 in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 4A illustrates a top view of a light tray 400 in accordance withone embodiment.

FIG. 4B illustrates a bottom view of a light tray 400 in accordance withone embodiment.

FIG. 5A illustrates a top view of a fixed tray 500 in accordance withone embodiment.

FIG. 5B illustrates a bottom view of a fixed tray 500 in accordance withone embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a fixed tray with growing tray 600 in accordance withone embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a ventilation system 700 in accordance with oneembodiment.

FIG. 8A illustrates a growing configuration with stacked grow racks 800a in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 8B illustrates a growing configuration with grow modules in agrowing chamber 800 b in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates a grow module and fertigation station 900 inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 10A illustrates a tray movement system 1000 in accordance with oneembodiment.

FIG. 10B illustrates a tray movement system 1000 in greater detail inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates a growing tray and tray movement system 1100 inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates a process of growing tray movement for fertigation1200 in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 13 illustrates an at least one camera in the fertigation system1300 in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 14 illustrates a fertigation of growing tray with growing trayabove nozzles 1400 in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 15 illustrates an at least one nozzle and nozzle manifold 1500 inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 16 illustrates a pressurized air in fertigation system 1600 inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 17 illustrates a fertigation system 1700 in accordance with oneembodiment.

FIG. 18 illustrates a control system 1800 in accordance with oneembodiment.

FIG. 19 illustrates a growing tray and plant vessels 1900 in accordancewith one embodiment.

FIG. 20 illustrates a growing tray with tray inserts and plant vessels2000 in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 21 illustrates a plant vessel 2100 in accordance with oneembodiment.

FIG. 22 illustrates a plant vessel top view 2200 in accordance with oneembodiment.

FIG. 23 illustrates a plant vessel with shoots 2300 in accordance withone embodiment.

FIG. 24A—FIG. 24B illustrate a tray insert with plant vessel 2400 inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 25 illustrates a grow module transported via AVG 2500 in accordancewith one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure is directed to a grow module for a plurality of chargedplant vessels.

An efficient method of storing and monitoring packaged edible productshas proven elusive over time. Yet a storage device for said productscapable of providing spatially efficient storage customized toindividually growing plants (or seeds or seedlings) may have clearadvantages over devices needing to be constantly reconfigured as plantgrowth changes. Extraction and replacement of products from storagedevices introduces its own difficulties: even when accomplishedsystematically (e.g., through some automated process), the means offertigating the extracted plants—in whatever form—is usually considereda separate procedure—that is, plants are either stored or fertigated butthe needs of each process are considered independently. Finally, thoughall plants take certain elements to grow, i.e., light and air, storagedevices lack the means of providing said elements as said devices areoften optimized for other purposes, e.g., transport. The methodsemployed for storing edible products for transport also typicallyobviate the need to monitor said products, at least to any great detail,within a storage device itself.

The successful fertigation of packaged edible products in a systematizedmanner also presents a number of challenges. Fertigating specificindividual plants, seeds or seedlings may be optimal as they grow andmature at different rates and often need individual attention—but suchattention may be burdensome and impractical for the number of plantstypically contained in a system of packaged edible products. Monitoringthe growth of individual plants, or even small collections, may also bepreferable to inspecting (visually or otherwise) a large group.Controlling the precise combination of water, nutrients, and air neededfor a small collection of plants effectively loses its ability tocustomize delivery of said elements when that small collection scales upto hundreds or thousands of plants.

Existing fertigation systems take a “broad brush” approach to thesechallenges. Plants are fertigated on a large scale, with littleattention paid to the growth needs of individual, or a small collectionof, plants. Fertigation control follows this uniform approach, with someplants receiving a larger or smaller quantity of water, nutrients,and/or air than they might otherwise use at a specific growth stagesimply because the growth needs of plants in nearby proximity aredifferent. Growth monitoring necessarily scales up as well, withevaluation of plant maturation systematically ignoring outliers.

The identified problems and their solutions for a fertigation system arerelated to the storing, feeding and growing a scalable number of plants.Plants may be fertigated individually or at least in small groups. Thedelivery of water, nutrients, air and/or other elements may becustomized and injected directly into plant vessels specificallydesigned to receive said delivery. Monitoring the growth process forindividual plants may leverage the latest innovations in visual imagerycapture and processing.

Existing vessels for growing individual plants in large quantities alsoexhibit several obstacles to the successful delivery of packaged edibleproducts. The location of nutrients (e.g., fertilizing matter to feedthe plant supplementing access to soil, water and air) may beeffectively sealed from the plant itself, as direct exposure to rawnutrients inhibits its growth. Water may be carefully and precisely fedto said nutrients, with an additional means for the water and nutrientsto reach the substrate in which the plant roots grow. The vessels may beeffectively standardized in shape and composition to allow predictabledelivery as described. And finally, the entire vessel may becompostable, as re-use of the vessel may not be otherwise feasible givenother constraints.

The identified problems and their solutions for a plant vessel in thefertigation system are related to the storing, feeding and growing ascalable number of plants. First, providing a permeable separationbetween a deposit of plant nutrients and an area where seeds areinitially planted allows for precise amounts of said nutrients to bedelivered to a plant or set of plants. Also, calibrating the amounts ofwater and nutrients needed by a scalable number of plants, keeping theplant shoots and nutrients physically separated, and providing a systemthat delivers water to plant nutrients, and an area where seeds areinitially planted, or some combination thereof based on plant type andfertigation need, is provided by this disclosure. Additionally,configuring an end-to-end system for supplying the fertigation systemwith water and nutrients and controlling same for a scalable number ofplants in a grow module has solutions provided below.

The vessel containing the plants using such a method and apparatusutilizes two chambers, containing nutrients and substrate respectively,with a pervious membrane separation allowing water to transfer from oneto the other. The vessel includes a means for water to be injected intoits nutrient chamber in precisely measured quantities. The plant itselfmay be effectively shielded from the raw nutrients. The entire vesselmay be a standardized shape to fit into a grow module tray for a growingplant to be held in position for water, air and light delivery.Additionally, the vessel may be compostable.

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B illustrate a grow module 100 in accordance with oneembodiment. “Grow module” in this disclosure refers to a storage mediumfor a plurality of growing trays to be extracted and inserted by thefertigation system. The grow module 100 may include a grow rack 102, agrow module base 104, tray modules 106 in a vertically stackedconfiguration 112, each comprising a growing tray 108 containing plantvessels 110, in which seeds, seedlings, shoots of plants, and/or plants114 in various stages of development may be grown, and a light tray 400arranged above each growing tray 108, to provide light to growing plantswithin the grow module 100, and a machine-readable identification 116.“Shoots of plants” in this disclosure refers to new growth from seedgermination that grows upward and where leaves will develop. Shoots mayalso refer to stems including their appendages, the leaves and lateralbuds, flowering stems and flower buds.

Grow Module

The grow module 100 is a storage assembly for a plurality of growingtrays 108 to be extracted and inserted by the fertigation system. Thegrow module 100 may be made of any metal, plastic, or other solidmaterial of sufficient strength to hold the requisite number of growingtrays 108 and withstand repeated interaction with a tray movementsystem. In one embodiment the grow module 100 includes protrudingshelves from the sides of its vertically oriented sides for the purposeof holding a plurality of growing trays 108 and light trays 400 or fixedtrays, within a grow module 100. In one embodiment the grow module 100contains non-removable fixed trays at pre-determined vertical locationswithin the grow module 100, each fixed tray including a lighting arrayand at least one power supply for said lighting and other electricalcomponents. “Power supply” in this disclosure refers to one or moreelectrical or other power sources capable of providing electrical powerto at least one sensor and at least one fan.

The lighting array in this case may be provided by any suitable type oflight source capable of producing a desired light spectrum and intensityto facilitate plant growth, examples of which include light emittingdiodes (LED) and fluorescent, but are not limited thereto. The growmodule 100 may also include a source of air (i.e., air flow) for theseeds, seedlings, shoots of plants, and/or plants 114 growing in thegrow racks within through at least one fan fixed to the back of thefixed tray and powered by at least one power supply in the fixed tray.In one embodiment, the at least one fan may be fixed to the back of thegrow module 100 and controlled and powered by a grow module 100 controlsystem and power supply, or some other configuration. In one embodimentthe operation of at least one fan may vary according to their location,e.g., air may be supplied to a subset of the plants 114 in growing trays108 within the grow module 100. In one embodiment, the number of growingtrays 108 in a grow module 100 may also vary according to the growthstage of the various plants, seeds or seedlings, and/or shoots of plantsin the grow racks 102 and growing trays 108 within the grow module 100.

Grow Rack

The apparatus encompassing each grow module 100 may comprise a grow rack102, generally described as an outer frame into which the othercomponents of the grow module 100, as described above, are configured.Said components may comprise light trays 400 or fixed trays with atleast one fan, at least one power supply, and a light source forlighting, a grow module base 104, and a variable number of growing trays108 containing a plurality of plant vessels 110 including seeds,seedlings, shoots of plants, and/or plants 114 in varying stages ofdevelopment. The grow rack 102 may be made of any material of sufficientstrength to hold the requisite number of growing trays 108, additionallyholding a plurality of plant vessels 110, and the requisite number oflight trays 400 holding lighting arrays, or, alternately, fixed traysholding a light source, at least one fan and at least one power supply,e.g., reinforced plastic, metal, 3D printed material and so on. The growrack may also be able to be molded into a skeletal frame for aircirculation and light spacing from the previously mentioned at least onefan and light source, respectively.

Grow Module Base

“Grow module base” in this disclosure refers to a support for a growrack or grow module. The grow module base 104 may comprise a physicalsupport onto which the grow module 100 or grow rack 102 may rest, or mayrest when removed from a larger collection of grow modules 100. The growmodule base 104 may serve, in part, the functions of supporting andstabilizing a grow module 100 or grow rack 102 comprising growing trays108 or tray modules 106 as an individual growing tray 108 is extractedfrom the grow module 100 and moved by the tray movement system to thefertigation system. The grow module base 104 may be made of anynon-reactive material of sufficient strength to support a single growmodule 100, e.g., molded metal(s) or plastic, when said grow module 100contains the highest allowable number tray modules 106, i.e., lighttrays 400 or fixed trays including at least one fan, at least onesensor, at least one power supply and lighting array, and growing trays108 with a plurality of plant vessels 110 containing plants, seeds orseedlings, and/or shoots of plants. In some embodiments, the grow modulebase 104 may be incorporated into the grow rack 102. If the grow modulebase 104 is incorporated into the grow rack 102, it may be optionallyremovable.

Machine-Readable Identification

The grow module 100 may include a machine-readable identification 116directly attached to it for the purpose of allowing a facility controlsystem to identify the grow module 100 as needing to be moved around thefacility for fertigation, cleaning, light tray adjustment, or otherpurposes. In one embodiment the machine-readable identification 116comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) device or a Near FieldCommunication (NFC) device. In another embodiment the machine-readableidentification 116 comprises a printed graphic symbol or group ofsymbols, e.g., quick response (QR) code or bar code, also known asreadable by a scanning red LED, laser light, or similar scanning device.In one embodiment the machine-readable identification 116 may be asticker affixed to the grow module 100 in a location (e.g., on the side)easily accessible by a reader of said machine-readable identification116.

FIG. 1B illustrates in more detail a tray module 106 comprising a lighttray 400 and a growing tray 108 holding plant vessels 110 within a growmodule 100. The growing tray 108 is shown in the process of removal fromthe grow module 100 or, in some embodiments, grow rack 102.

Tray Module

“Tray module” in this disclosure refers to a plant growing apparatuswithin a grow module comprising in one embodiment a light tray and agrowing tray. In another embodiment, the tray module may comprise afixed tray and a growing tray. A tray module 106 within each grow module100 may comprise both a growing tray 108 and a light tray 400 or fixedtray, forming a pair of shelves attached to the grow module 100. In oneembodiment a grow module 100 may comprise a plurality of tray modules,as multiple growing trays 108 and light trays 400, and may be includedin a single grow module 100 in a vertically stacked configuration 112.“Vertically stacked configuration” in this disclosure refers to anyarrangement of components at substantially right angles to a horizontalplane; in a direction, or having an alignment, such that the top isdirectly or approximately above the bottom.

In one embodiment each tray module comprises the growing tray 108 with aplurality of plant vessels 110 containing plants, seeds or seedlings,and/or shoots of plants and a light tray 400 or fixed tray including atleast one fan, at least one sensor, at least one power supply andlighting array. The lighting array and at least one sensor may bepositioned on the light tray or fixed tray directly above the plants,seeds or seedlings, and/or shoots of plants in plant vessels positionedin a growing tray 108. The tray module may be made of materialscomprising those of the growing tray 108 and light tray, i.e., a solidmaterial sufficiently rigid in composition, e.g., tempered metal orplastic, to hold a plurality of plant vessels 110 without bending orwarping for the former, and for the latter, a solid materialsufficiently rigid in composition to hold the above named components ofthe light tray 400 or fixed tray and be attached to the grow module 100by any means, including but not limited to, bolting, soldering, etc. Insome embodiments, the light tray 400 or fixed tray may be removed fromthe grow rack to facilitate servicing any attached items, such as the atleast one fan, at least one sensor, at least one power supply, andlighting array.

Growing Tray

“Growing tray” in this disclosure refers to a plane of solid materialsufficiently rigid in composition, e.g., tempered metal or plastic, tohold a plurality of plant vessels without bending or warping. In someembodiments, the shape of the growing tray is square or rectangular. Thegrowing tray may be configured with cutouts to accommodate tray insertsfor holding plant vessels, or to accommodate rigid plant vessels notneeding rigid tray insert supports. The growing tray 108 may comprise asquare or rectangular plane of solid material sufficiently rigid incomposition, e.g., tempered metal or plastic, to hold a plurality ofplant vessels without bending or warping. Rectangular shaped trays areshown, but any shape may be used, such as round or elliptical shapes.The growing tray 108 additionally may be comprised of a material able tobe die cut in a specific pattern so that a plurality of plant vesselsmay be both inserted vertically into the tray and slid horizontally tolock into place in precisely aligned rows and columns, the latter beinguseful to align each plant vessel in a grow rack above the plurality ofnozzles in the fertigation system. In one embodiment, the growing tray108 may also include a die cut notch, latch or other physicalindentation by which the tray movement system may be assisted inextracting, raising/lowering, and/or replacing the growing tray 108 toand from the grow module 100.

The light tray 400 and growing tray 108 may be adjustably mounted usingattachment and support hardware 118 within the grow module 100, allowingflexible spacing of elements within the grow module 100, by any means,including but not limited to, bolting, soldering, etc., as is wellunderstood in the art. In one embodiment, a plurality of growing trays108 may be included in each grow module 100, the number of growing trays108 varying according the growth rate(s) of the plants 114 in eachgrowing tray 108. This may allow plants 114 at different stages ofgrowth to be accommodated within a single grow module 100, and mayfurther allow lighting to be provided from a light tray 400 at avariable height above each growing tray 108 in order to optimally lighteach plant within the growing tray 108.

Normally, the light tray 400 or a fixed tray may remain affixed withinthe grow module 100. It may be removed or moved within the grow module100 as needed to provide light at an appropriate height above thegrowing tray 108 it resides over. This height may be smaller when plantvessels 110 contain seeds or seedlings, and may be increased as thesegrow into shoots of plants and mature plants 114. In one embodiment, thelight tray 400 may be replaced by a fixed tray including at least onefan, at least one sensor, at least one power supply and lighting array.In some embodiments, the light tray 400 or fixed tray may be removedfrom the grow module 100 for maintenance purposes, particularlymaintenance involving any items attached to these trays. In oneembodiment, the growing tray 108 and light tray 400 together mayconstitute a tray module.

Referring to FIG. 2, a grow module showing growing tray direction 200 isillustrated. In one embodiment a grow module 100 comprises a grow rack102 on a grow module base 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the growrack 102 may limit the removal of a growing tray 108 containing a plantvessel 110 to a single horizontal dimension, e.g., by using an encasingpattern designed to prevent lateral movement and allow a tray movementsystem a single horizontal access point. In this case, the growing tray108 may be extracted from the grow module 100 by the tray movementsystem and transferred to the fertigation station as described above.Each fixed tray with growing tray 600 located within the grow rack 102may be optimally oriented, e.g., its affixed lighting array and othercomponents as described below, aligned above the plant vessels 110 inthe growing tray 108 directly beneath the fixed tray with growing tray600.

Referring to FIG. 3, spacing for exemplary finished and germinatingplants in the grow module 300 is illustrated. As noted earlier in thisdisclosure, plants at various stages of growth—from germination 302 tofinished plant 304—need differing amounts of vertical space for theplants themselves as they grow between their respective 2″ plant vessels306 and the lighting array affixed to the light trays. Exemplary seedsor seedlings at germination 302 have not crested the aperture of the 2″plant vessel 306 and may take up an exemplary 2″ air space 308 betweenthe 2″ air space 308 and the 2″ grow lights 310 extending verticallydownward from the light tray to which they are affixed. An exemplaryfinished plant 304 may take 8 inches of vertical space once the plant orshoot has crested through an aperture of the plant vessel. Taking intoaccount the 2″ grow lights 310 extending vertically downward from thelight tray to which they are affixed and 2″ air space 308, at least 10inches of vertical space may be needed to account for exemplary plantgrowth and air space between the plant and the vertically descendinglighting array. In one embodiment the vertical spacing for individualplants within the grow module, e.g., how far below a light tray eachgrowing tray may be located to accommodate plant growth, may bedetermined by the control system. In some embodiments, the grow rack mayhave rails at different heights, configured to receive a growing tray,thereby allowing the vertical spacing to be adjusted by simply slidingthe growing tray into a different set of rails under the light tray inthe grow rack.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B illustrate a light tray 400 in accordance with oneembodiment. The top side 402 of the light tray 400 is shown in FIG. 4A.The light tray 400 includes lighting arrays 404 a-404 f.

Light Tray

“Light tray” in this disclosure refers to a tray that is secured to agrow rack and is typically not removed. The light tray may include atleast one lighting array with a connector to connect to power andcontrol signals. In one embodiment, a fixed tray may be used to providelighting, the fixed tray comprising a lighting array, at least one fan,at least one sensor, and at least one power supply. The light tray 400may comprises a rectangular shelf, adjustably attached to a grow rackwith attachments such as nuts and bolts. The light tray 400 may be madeof non-reactive material (e.g., metal or reinforced plastic) ofsufficient strength and thickness (e.g., ¼-½ inch) to hold affixedlighting arrays. Each lighting array may connect to a power supply andcontrol system in order to selectively actuate LED patterns connected todifferent lighting channels. Selective actuating of the lightingchannels and LED patterns may facilitate a flexible lighting strategyemployed throughout different stages of plant growth, such that growingplants receive optimal lighting while minimizing power wasted on lightthat is not incident to plant surfaces. To accommodate the attachment ofcomponents and allow air and other elements to circulate betweenmultiple light trays and growing trays within the grow module, the lighttray 400 may include internal cross-supports or be in a mesh-like orcross-hatch pattern.

Machine-Readable Identification

The light tray in one embodiment may include a machine-readableidentification directly attached to it for the purpose of informing thecontrol system to determine the specific nutritional and elemental needsof the plants, seeds or seedlings, and/or shoots of plants in thegrowing tray beneath the light tray. In one embodiment themachine-readable identification comprises an RFID device or a NFCdevice. In another embodiment the machine-readable identificationcomprises a printed graphic symbol or group of symbols, e.g., QR code orbar code, also known as readable by a scanning red LED, laser light, orsimilar scanning device. In one embodiment the machine-readableidentification may be a sticker affixed to the light tray in a location(e.g., on the side) easily accessible by a reader of saidmachine-readable identification. “Machine-readable identification” inthis disclosure refers to a graphic or visible identifier able to beinterpreted without human interaction. Exemplary machine-readableidentification includes RFID or NFC devices, barcodes and quick responsecodes.

FIG. 4B illustrates the underside 406 of the light tray 400. Theselighting arrays may be printed circuit boards including LED patterns 408on the underside 406 associated with lighting channels, such that theLED patterns 408 of each light tray 400 may project light downward ontothe growing tray positioned below the light tray 400. The LED patterns408 may be selectively turned on and off according to a lightingstrategy designed for the plants to be illuminated by the light tray400.

Referring to FIG. 5A, a fixed tray 500 is illustrated. The fixed tray500, as previously described, is a non-removable shelf within the growrack included as a plurality of tray modules within a grow module. Thetray module comprises both the fixed tray 500 and an accompanyinggrowing tray holding a plurality of plant vessels comprising plants,seeds or seedlings, and/or shoots of plants receiving external elementsfrom said fixed tray 500. The fixed tray 500 as shown, comprises alighting array 502 calibrated to provide an appropriate level of lightto the plants, seeds or seedlings, and/or shoots of plants growing inthe plurality of plant vessels in a growing tray beneath each fixed tray500. Similarly, the fixed tray 500 also includes in one embodiment atleast one fan 504 providing air or other gases as needed to circulatearound the plants, seeds or seedlings, and/or shoots of plants growingin the plurality of plant vessels.

In an embodiment, to assist in the determination of the nutrient andelemental needs of the plants, seeds or seedlings, and/or shoots ofplants in a growing tray, a machine-readable identification 506 may beaffixed to each fixed tray 500. The graphic pattern of themachine-readable identification 506 may comprise information regardingspecific nutritional and elemental needs of the plants, seeds orseedlings, and/or shoots of plants in a growing tray beneath the fixedtray 500 with said affixed machine-readable identification 506. Whenread by devices such as a scanning red LED, laser light, or similarscanning device, the machine-readable identification 506 may beprocessed by the control system to subsequently determine the specificnutritional and elemental needs of the plants, seeds or seedlings,and/or shoots of plants in the growing tray beneath the fixed tray 500.

Fixed Tray

The fixed tray 500 comprises a rectangular shelf, attached to a growrack with attachments such as a nut/bolt, weld, and/or adhesives. Thefixed tray 500 may be made of non-reactive material (e.g., metal orreinforced plastic) of sufficient strength and thickness (e.g., ¼-½inch) to hold several affixed components, including but not limited toat least one fan, at least one sensor, lighting array, and at least onepower supply with a sufficient number of conduits to attach at least onepower supply to the other components. In one embodiment at least onepower supply may be a self-contained battery. In another embodiment, atleast one power supply may be connected to a power source external tothe grow module in which the fixed tray 500 resides. To accommodate theattachment of components and allow air and other elements to circulatebetween multiple fixed trays and growing trays within the grow module,the fixed tray 500 may include internal cross-supports or be in amesh-like or cross-hatch pattern.

Machine-Readable Identification

The fixed tray 500 may include a machine-readable identification 506directly attached to it for the purpose of informing the control systemto determine the specific nutritional and elemental needs of the plants,seeds or seedlings, and/or shoots of plants in the growing tray beneaththe fixed tray 500. A growing tray may also have a machine-readableidentification 506 attached thereto, containing different or similarinformation to the machine-readable identification 506 attached to thefixed tray 500 immediately above said growing tray. In one embodimentthe machine-readable identification 506 comprises a radio-frequencyidentification (RFID) device or a Near Field Communication (NFC) device.In another embodiment the machine-readable identification 506 comprisesa printed graphic symbol or group of symbols, e.g., quick response (QR)code or bar code, also known as readable by a scanning red LED, laserlight, or similar scanning device. In one embodiment themachine-readable identification 506 may be a sticker affixed to thefixed tray 500 in a location (e.g., on the side) easily accessible by areader of said machine-readable identification 506.

Referring to FIG. 5B, a fixed tray 500 is described. As with FIG. 5A,the light tray 512 comprises a non-removable shelf within the grow rackincluded as a plurality of tray modules within a grow module, as thetray module comprises both the light tray 512 and an accompanyinggrowing tray holding a plurality of plant vessels comprising plants,seeds or seedlings, and/or shoots of plants receiving external elementsfrom said light tray 512. Components affixed to the light tray 512 forthe purpose of facilitating the growth of plants, seeds or seedlings,and/or shoots of plants in the accompanying growing tray includelighting array 514, at least one fan 510, at least one sensor, and atleast one power supply 508 to provide electrical power to the previouslynamed components through accompanying wiring in attendant conduits. Thecomponents—lighting array 514, at least one fan 510, at least onesensor, and at least one power supply 508—may be affixed to the bottomof the light tray 512 both for reason of utility, e.g., lighting array514, at least one fan 510, and at least one sensor need be in aerialcontact with the plants, seeds or seedlings, and/or shoots of plantsdirectly beneath the light tray 512, and spatial efficiency, e.g.,placing these components with at least one power supply 508 above thelight tray 512 may interfere with the growing tray in the tray moduleabove said light tray 512.

Lighting Array

“Lighting array” in this disclosure refers to illumination to facilitateplant growth, including but not limited to LEDs or other lightingencompassing a sufficiently wide range of wavelengths to emulatesunlight. The lighting array 514 affixed to the light tray 512 withinthe grow rack may be calibrated to facilitate plant growth for thespecific plants, seeds or seedlings, and/or shoots of plants directlybeneath the light tray 512. Said calibration may include the range oflight spectrum, strength (e.g., lumens per area) and light type (e.g.,LED or incandescent). An exemplary lighting array 514 solution may beLED lighting with a balance of blue (cool) and red (warm) lightwavelengths that replicates the natural solar spectrum at 400-800 lumensper square foot.

Referring to FIG. 6, a fixed tray with growing tray 600 is illustratedshowing previously described components of the tray module from a sideview. As noted, the tray module may comprise a fixed tray 500, withaffixed lighting array 502, at least one sensor 602, at least one fan504, and at least one power supply 508, located within a grow rack orgrow module and positioned above a growing tray 108 comprising aplurality of plant vessels 110 containing plants 114, seeds orseedlings, and/or shoots of plants. Each plant vessel 110 may bepositioned optimally beneath the lighting array 502, next to or far fromat least one fan 504 and within range of at least one sensor 602measuring light or other conditions, i.e., from the lighting array 502,temperature, and/or humidity. The location of at least one sensor 602may vary according to the growth stage(s) of the plants 114 affected bythe light, temperature, and/or humidity measured and monitored by thesensor(s). As an example, more sensors may be used for plants in plantvessels at a germination stage than at a finishing stage.

At Least One Sensor

“Sensor” in this disclosure refers to one or more sensing devices ableto detect precise measurements of light, temperature, humidity, and/orother conditions of its surrounding environment. In an embodiment, atleast one sensor 602 may be a light sensor, temperature sensor, humiditysensor or some combination of the three depending on the needs of plantsin a grow module at a particular time. The type of sensor is not limitedthereto. All types sensors for detecting said conditions in a plantgrowing environment as described herein may be used. At least one sensor602 measuring light may be a commercially available light sensor drawing˜24V and measuring both lumen strength and light wavelengths to ensureproper lighting for the plants 114, seeds or seedlings, and/or shoots ofplants lit by the lighting array 502. In one embodiment, at least onesensor measuring light may be located on the grow rack within the growmodule. At least one sensor 602 measuring temperature may be located inmultiple locations within the grow module and comprise a Type Kthermocouple with a lead wire transition probe, 6-inch insertion length,⅛ inch probe diameter, stainless steel sheath, and 6 foot 20 Americanwire gauge (AWG) wire leads. At least one sensor 602 measuring humiditymay be located in multiple locations within the grow module, draw ˜5Vand include the ability to measure the full range (1-99%) of airhumidity via use of a psychrometer, e.g., comparing the readings of apair of thermometers, one with a bulb open to the air; the other has abulb covered in a wet cloth or similar substance. In one embodiment atleast one sensor 602 measuring both temperature and humidity may beco-located in a single device.

At Least One Fan

In an embodiment, at least one fan 504 may be affixed to the fixed traywith growing tray 600 for the purposes of circulating air or other gasesamongst the plants, seeds or seedlings, and/or shoots of plants in plantvessels 110 in tray modules within the grow module. Air movement allowsplants to dispense water vapor for optimum growth and production. Movingthe air to create a gaseous current may encourage this evaporationprocess, regardless of temperature and humidity. In one embodiment atleast one fan 504 may be calibrated to accomplish this task for plantsof varying sizes and growth rates. At least one fan 504 may be made of anon-reactive material (e.g., plastic or metal) and of a design providingair current(s) within a confined space, e.g., multi-bladed, powered by a2-8 watt engine and encased in an cage enclosure for safety. In oneembodiment at least one fan 504 may be embedded in the back wall of thegrow module, e.g., detached from a light tray.

At Least One Power Supply

In an embodiment, at least one power supply 508 may be affixed to thefixed tray with growing tray 600 for the purpose of providing electricalpower to attendant components also affixed to the fixed tray withgrowing tray 600, i.e., lighting array 502, at least one fan 504, and atleast one sensor 602. At least one power supply 508 and its attendantwiring through encased conduits may be powered by external electricalsources or internal power (e.g., nickel/cadmium or similar batteries).Depending on the electrical needs of the various powered components, notleast the number of supported fixed trays or light trays, a ˜100Valternating current (AC) or ˜15V direct current (DC) power supply may beadequate.

FIG. 7 illustrates a ventilation system 700 in accordance with oneembodiment. The ventilation system 700 for a grow module 100 may beconfigured with at least one fan 702 on the back of the grow module 100.“Fan” in this disclosure refers to one or more devices capable of movingair currents at a fixed or variable rate. The fans 702 configured on theback of the grow module 100 may connect via fan wiring 704 to a controlsystem 706 and power supply 708 configured for the individual growmodule 100. The fan 702 and power supply 708 may be configured similarthose described previously with respect to FIG. 6, or otherwise asappropriate to the number of fans and the desired air flow 710 for eachgrow module 100 or each growing tray 108. The air flow 710 may bemeasured by the at least one sensor 602 described previously, and may becontrolled by the control system 706.

Referring to FIG. 8A, growing configuration with stacked grow racks 800a are shown. In one embodiment, each grow module 100 may contain a growrack 102 holding tray module 106 in a vertically stacked configuration112, including a plurality of plant vessels that are housed andfertigated at periodic intervals by a fertigation system. Plant vesselsof specific arrangements may be included in a growing tray or acollection of said growing trays depending on the number of plants,seeds or seedlings, and/or shoots of plants with similar fertigationneeds, as previously described. “Grow rack” in this disclosure refers toa physical shelf, containing a plurality of plants in growing vessels.The grow rack may include means of illumination and temperature controlto serve the controlled cultivation of plants.

As shown, each grow module 100 may be removed from the collection ofgrow modules 100 in the growing configuration with stacked grow racks800 a for purposes of fertigating the individual plants in the growmodule 100, transporting the plants in the grow module 100, or otherlogistical purposes. Grow modules 100 may be stacked vertically as wellas arranged in horizontal arrays. In one embodiment, the number of growmodules 100 contained in such an arrangement is dependent on thestrength of the growing configuration with stacked grow racks 800 a andthe respective weight(s) of the grow modules, particularly those at ornear the top of said configuration. The process by which each growmodule 100 is removed, added, and/or re-arranged within a verticalconfiguration may include, but are not limited to, devices such asforklifts or shelving and ramps by which each grow module 100 may beeffectively re-located for the purpose(s) named above.

FIG. 8B illustrates a growing configuration with grow modules in agrowing chamber 800 b in accordance with one embodiment. The growingconfiguration with grow modules in a growing chamber 800 b comprises agrowing chamber 802 containing one or more grow modules 100.

The grow chamber as used in this description may be an enclosed areaincluding an environmental regulation system capable of adjusting thetemperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide levels. It may be managedthrough the control system described with respect to FIG. 18 below. Theenclosed area may be the entire facility or a portion of the facility.In one embodiment, cooler wall panels with specific insulatingproperties may be used to isolate a portion of the facility, a heating,ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC) system may be used toregulate the temperature and humidity and inject CO2 from storage tanksinternal to the HVAC, and controllable roll-up Albany style doors may beused as an interface to the chamber to allow automated guided vehicles(AGVs) to enter and leave with grow modules 100.

The growing chamber 802 may incorporate ventilation and climate control804 providing airflow and controlling humidity and temperature for thegrowing chamber 802. In one embodiment, the ventilation and climatecontrol 804 may be facility-wide. In one embodiment, each grow module100 may instead or in addition incorporate a ventilation system 700 asillustrated in FIG. 7.

A facility may have one or more growing chambers 802. Grow modules 100may be moved from growing chambers 802 to fertigation stations usingAGVs. Grow modules 100 may incorporate mounting hardware or otherstructural components that secure them in an array within a growingchamber 802, fix them to AGVs for transport, and at designated spotswithin the facility near the fertigation station that tray movementsystems may remove trays and plants from the grow modules 100 forfertigation.

Referring to FIG. 9, a grow module and fertigation station 900 isillustrated. In one embodiment, a grow module 100 may contain aplurality of growing trays, each tray holding a plurality of plantvessels containing seeds, seedlings, shoots of plants, and/or plants invarious stages of development. The grow module 100 may contain avariable number of growing trays, configured according to thefertigation needs of the individual plants, seeds or seedlings, and/orshoots of plants, each plant vessel 110 contained within the growingtray 108.

As shown, a growing tray 108 may be extracted from the grow module 100via a tray movement system 1000, an automated or manual system forsliding a growing tray 108 from the grow module 100 for fertigationpurposes. The tray movement system 1000 may then position the growingtray 108 onto an upper conveyor 906. The upper conveyor 906 may carrythe growing tray 108 to an imaging station 908, as is described ingreater detail with respect to FIG. 12. The upper conveyor 906 mayfurther transport the growing tray 108 to a tray elevator 910, which maylower the tray to the level of a lower conveyor 912.

The lower conveyor 912 may position the growing tray 108 above thenozzle manifold 914 of the fertigation station 902. The nozzle manifold914 may be configured such that the at least one nozzle is aligned withplant vessels 110 contained within the growing tray 108. The number andtype of the at least one nozzle may be configured to correspond with theplant vessel configuration in each growing tray 108, as well as with themixture of fresh water supply and nutrient supply pumped by the firstpump to the nozzle manifold 914. This may be customized based on thespecific fertigation needs of the individual seeds, seedlings, shoots ofplants, and/or plants contained therein.

Tray Elevator

The tray elevator 910 comprises a drive system powered by a motor forthe purpose of raising and lowering growing trays, one at a time,growing trays between an upper conveyor 906 and a lower conveyor 912.Said drive system may be of any type such as, but not limited to, a beltdrive, a chain drive, a direct drive, etc. The motor, under control ofthe control system, may power the drive mechanism to pull the growingtray 108 to its proper vertical position.

Tray Movement System

FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B illustrate a tray movement system 1000 in oneembodiment.

“Tray movement system” in this disclosure refers to a variety ofcomponents, including but not limited to a motor, a mechanical arm undercontrol of said motor, tracks on which a growing tray slides, and a trayelevator, all utilized for the purpose(s) of extracting a growing trayfrom a grow module and replacing the growing tray in the same positionwithin the grow module when the fertigation process has been completed.“Track” in this disclosure refers to a structure on the fertigationsystem upon which a growing tray may rest and/or slide. “Tray elevator”in this disclosure refers to a drive system powered by a motor for thepurpose of raising and lowering individually growing trays from a growmodule. In one embodiment, the tray elevator may transition growingtrays from an upper conveyor to a lower conveyor. In one embodiment, thetray elevator may position a growing tray onto at least one nozzle foreach nozzle manifold for fertigation.

The tray movement system 1000 comprises various components for thepurpose(s) of both extracting a growing tray 108 from the grow module100 and replacing the growing tray 108 in the same position, oralternatively in a different position, within the grow module 100 whenthe fertigation process has been completed for all the plant vessels inthe growing tray 108. The tray movement system 1000 comprises componentsknown to those skilled in the art for moving a tray holding fragileobjects in a horizontal direction under machine-driven or manual power:at least one track 1002 on which the growing tray 108 slides on onceremoved from the grow module 100, an arm 1004 extending from theapparatus to temporarily latch onto the growing tray 108, pull it ontothe apparatus and release it at the appropriate position, aconfiguration to raise or lower the growing tray 108 along with the traymovement system 1000 into a desired vertical position along thefertigation gantry 904 (not shown), a motor (under electrical orequivalent power) to spin a belt or similar drive to extend/contract thearm 1004 and power the raising and lowering configuration, allconfigured to also to perform this operation in reverse to return thegrowing tray 108 to its position within the grow module 100. In anembodiment, the arm may include a tray attachment feature 1006 such as amagnetic connection, a latch, or end of arm tooling, to attach to thegrowing tray 108.

In an embodiment the growing tray 108 may also be lifted slightly (e.g.,less than one inch) off the shelving in the grow module 100 by the arm1004 of the tray movement system 1000 before being extracted. In thisembodiment, slide tracks within the grow module 100 may not be needed.Short legs may be extended under the growing tray 108 (e.g., at the fourcorners). Said legs may be removable/adjustable for different sizepots/plants.

FIG. 10B illustrates in more detail one embodiment of a tray movementsystem 1000. The tray movement system 1000 comprises tracks 1002, an arm1004, and a tray attachment feature 1006.

Referring to FIG. 11, a growing tray and tray movement system 1100 isillustrated to show how plant vessels 110 in growing trays 108 may bemanipulated. A plurality of growing trays 108 may hold a variable numberof plant vessels 110, each plant vessel containing plants, seeds orseedlings, and/or shoots of plants. The number and type of plants, seedsor seedlings, and/or shoots of plants in the plant vessels in the growracks may be configured according to their collective fertigation needs,that is the lighting, air, and liquids needed for effective germinationand growth.

Each growing tray 108 containing a plurality of plant vessels 110 may becontained within a grow module 100. As previously described, plants,seeds or seedlings, and/or shoots of plants growing in separate plantvessels may be collected into growing trays 108 according to theircollective needs. Said growing trays 108, positioned within a growmodule 100, may be extracted from the grow module 100 by a tray movementsystem 1000.

As shown, the tray movement system 1000 may extract a growing tray 108with at least two degrees of horizontal freedom from the grow module100. Once the growing tray 108 containing a plurality of grow racks isremoved from the grow module 100, the grow racks may be held in place bythe tray movement system 1000 while the nozzle manifold containing an atleast one nozzle punctures the plant vessels in the grow racks todeliver the fresh water supply and/or water and nutrient supply from themixing tank utilizing the first pump in a fertigation system such as thefertigation system 1700 illustrated in FIG. 17.

Referring to FIG. 12, a process of growing tray movement for fertigation1200 is illustrated in one embodiment. The process may begin with agrowing tray 108 situated in the grow module 100 with a plurality ofplant vessels situated within the growing tray 108. As shown, the traymovement system 1000 may extract an individual growing tray 108 from thegrow module 100. The tray movement system 1000 may vertically positionthe growing tray 108 in alignment with the upper conveyor 906. The traymovement system 1000 may then slide the growing tray 108 horizontallyonto the upper conveyor 906, which may transport the growing tray 108 toan imaging station 908. After processing at the imaging station 908, thegrowing tray 108 may be transported by the upper conveyor 906 to thetray elevator 910. This series of actions is represented by arrow 1202.

The tray elevator 910 may lower the growing tray 108 into alignment withthe lower conveyor 912, indicated by arrow 1204. The lower conveyor 912may then, as described previously, carry the growing tray 108 into aprecise position in the fertigation station 902 above the nozzlemanifold 914, aligning the plant vessels in the growing tray 108 withthe at least one nozzle, for the fertigation process. Once thefertigation process (i.e., the lowering of the growing tray 108 onto thenozzle manifold or the raising of the nozzles into contact with theplant vessels, and the plants, and/or shoots of plants in the grow rackbeing fertigated) is completed, the growing tray 108, nozzle manifold914, and lower conveyor 912 may be restored to their appropriatevertical positions, and the growing tray 108 may continue down the lowerconveyor 912 as indicated by arrow 1206.

The tray movement system 1000 may travel along the fertigation gantry904 to the correct vertical height to reengage the growing tray 108, nowat the level of the lower conveyor 912. The tray movement system 1000may elevate the growing tray 108 to its original vertical position, orto a vertical position associated with another empty area of the growmodule 100 configured to support the 108 in its current configuration.The tray movement system 1000 may then replace the growing tray 108 bysliding it back into its original (or alternate) position in the growmodule 100. This process continues for every growing tray 108 in thegrow module 100 in need of fertigation.

Referring to FIG. 13, at least one camera in the fertigation system 1300is described. “Camera” in this disclosure refers to one or more devicesused to capture still or video images under automated and/or manualcontrol. Captured images may be digital files or images recorded bylight onto film or similar media through a shutter and lens andchemically processed. Plants being fertigated in the fertigation systemmay be monitored for their growth progress (or lack thereof). Visualinspection and/or collection of photographic evidence may provedifficult when the plants, and/or shoots of plants remain in theirrespective plant vessels and grow racks inside the grow module 100,particularly when the plants have reached sufficient size, e.g.,inspecting and/or photographing sizable plants near the back of the growmodule 100 may not be possible. At least one camera 1302, therefore, maybe installed at selected locations around the fertigation system torecord visual evidence of plant growth on the basis of individual plantsor a collection of plants in plant vessels in a grow rack within agrowing tray 108, when the latter have been extracted from the growmodule 100 by the tray movement system 1000 and aligned above eachnozzle manifold.

At least one camera 1302 may be positioned at the top of the fertigationsystem, secured on an apparatus attached to a vertical support of thefertigation system, e.g., a non-interfering section of the tray elevator910. Said apparatus may be composed of a solid, non-reactive material ofsufficient tension strength to hold the camera in position centeredvertically and horizontally above the currently extracted growing tray108 in the fertigation system and not subject to vibration or otherdisturbances that may affect camera operation(s). The camera itself maybe any device that is capable of capturing, recording, and transferringstill and/or video images under control of said camera configurationparameters (e.g., shutter speed, resolution, and so on). Said camera maybe configured to record images both at the discretion of an operator ofthe fertigation system or on an automated schedule, the latter of whichmay be set on said camera itself by said operator. As the control system1304 controls the operation of the tray movement system 1000, the trayelevator 910, the first pump and the second pump, the schedule for trayextraction/replacement as determined by the control system 1304 may besynchronized with manual and/or automated control of at least one camera1302.

In addition to at least one camera 1302 being positioned at the top ofthe fertigation system as described above, additional cameras may bepositioned in other locations on or near the fertigation system tocapture alternate views of the plants within the plant vessels in thegrow racks having been placed in the fertigation system on the growingtray 108. As shown, said additional cameras may be secured on the firstpump or second pump; as these are under control of the control system1304, camera operation may be configured by a fertigation systemoperator to not overlap with pump operation(s). The devicespecifications of said additional cameras may be the same as thatdescribed above for at least one camera 1302 at the top of thefertigation system, or different—in terms of image capturingconfiguration (e.g., shutter speed, resolution, and so on), imagecapturing schedule, manual or automated control)—as determined by plantgrowth requirements.

Referring to FIG. 14, fertigation of growing tray with growing trayabove nozzles 1400 is shown, illustrating how a growing tray may bepositioned with respect to the fertigation system in order to fertigateplant vessels in the growing tray, in one embodiment. Once a growingtray 108 has been extracted from a grow module 100, another degree ofmovement, in addition to the horizontal relocation of the growing tray108 as provided by the tray movement system 1000, may situate thegrowing tray 108 directly above and on at least one nozzle 1410 of thefertigation system.

When the growing tray 108 is extracted from the grow module by the traymovement system 1000, as previously described, it may be aligned in itsprecise horizontal position, e.g., above the nozzle manifold 914 and atleast one nozzle 1410, by the action of the lower conveyor 912 (notshown). Under instructions from a control system 1402 and powered by amotor (not shown), the lower conveyor 912 may be adjusted such that thegrowing tray is repositioned vertically 1406, or the nozzle manifold 914may be adjusted such that the nozzle manifold is repositioned vertically1408. This configuration may be held for the duration of time needed forthe fertigation process to complete. Once complete, the process may bereversed, raising the growing tray or lowering the nozzle manifold, suchthat the lower conveyor 912 may carry the growing tray away from thenozzle manifold. This motion may be controlled by a control system 1402configured as part of the conveyer elements or the nozzle manifold 914.

Referring to FIG. 15, an at least one nozzle and nozzle manifold 1500are illustrated. As FIG. 14 described how individual plant vessels arepositioned in growing trays in a grow rack above a plurality of nozzles,this embodiment describes how water and nutrients from the nutrientsupply are delivered to the plants, seeds or seedlings, and/or shoots ofplants germinating and/or growing within each plant vessel.

As noted above in FIG. 13, a first pump within the fertigation system1700 delivers a mixture of water and nutrients from the nutrient supplyto the nozzle manifold 914, being in fluid communication with at leastone of the first pump and a fresh water supply depending on the needs ofthe plants, seeds or seedlings, and/or shoots of plants in thefertigation system.

“Nozzle” in this disclosure refers to a cylindrical or round aperture atthe end of a pipe, hose, or tube used to control a jet of a gas or aliquid. In a fertigation system, at least one nozzle may be configuredat a nozzle manifold and used to control/inject water and/or nutrientsand pressurized air into plant vessels. “Nozzle manifold” in thisdisclosure refers to a device or chamber capable of delivering liquidand/or gas substances, and branching into at least one nozzle.

The nozzle manifold 914 comprises a number of components, each playing arole in delivering the water/nutrient mixture from the day tank or afresh water supply to individual plant vessels within the imperviousouter vessel or tray insert 1502. The nozzle manifold 914 comprises amanifold header 1404 comprising the fresh water supply and/or mixture offresh water supply and nutrient supply pumped to the nozzle manifoldfrom the first pump. The manifold header 1404 then supplies said freshwater supply and/or mixture of fresh water supply and nutrient supply tothe at least one nozzle 1410, configured to inject said liquids into thebottom of the plant vessels on a growing tray. The at least one nozzle1410 may be a variable number, from a single nozzle to an many as may beaccommodated by the manifold header 1404, configured to fertigateindividual plants, seeds or seedlings, and/or shoots of plants containedwithin a plant vessel.

In one embodiment, the at least one nozzle 1410 may also injectpressurized air into either the nutrient chamber or substrate within theplant vessel as determined by the oxygen or other gaseous needs ofindividual plants, and/or shoots of plants. “Pressurized air” in thisdisclosure refers to a gas, or a combination of gases, put under greaterpressure than the air in the general environment. Pressurized air mayinclude air containing a typical mixture of elements found in theatmosphere, as well as highly concentrated oxygen, ozone, or nitrogen,or some specific combination of these elements in desired concentrationsdiffering from atmospheric air.

Manifold Header

“Manifold header” in this disclosure refers to a solid, non-permeablecasing separating and protecting a manifold chamber from the multipleopenings with which is associated. In a fertigation system. The manifoldheader 1404 comprises a solid non-permeable casing separating the nozzlemanifold 914 from the at least one nozzle 1410, for the reason ofprotecting the underlying manifold machinery (e.g., tank feeds, valves,and so on) from any residual materials (e.g., water, substrate) that mayfall from the plant vessels in the growing trays held in place above it.The manifold header 1404 may be made of any non-reactive material, e.g.,⅛-¼ inch plastic, with the capacity for holes to be drilled throughwhich the at least one nozzle 1410 may fit.

Referring to FIG. 16, the utilization of pressurized air in fertigationsystem 1600 is illustrated. The nozzle manifold 914 may be configured todeliver pressurized air 1604 from a pressurized air system 1602 to theat least one nozzle 1410 that punctures the plant vessels 110 in agrowing tray extracted from the grow module and positioned above saidnozzle in the fertigation system. Pressurized air may be an importantelement delivered to either or both of the nutrient chamber andsubstrate of a plant vessel, particularly under growth conditions forsaid plants requiring oxygen, nitrogen or other gaseous elements able tobe delivered via said at least one nozzle 1410 emanating from themanifold header 1404.

The delivery of pressurized air in fertigation system 1600 may need aseparate means of access for said pressurized air 1604 to the nozzlemanifold 914 for distribution to the at least one nozzle 1410. Aseparate nozzle manifold 914 to deliver pressurized air 1604 may beutilized or said pressurized air 1604 may be delivered via the samenozzle manifold 914 delivering water, nutrients, or some combination ofthe two, depending on the configuration of said nozzle manifold 914(e.g., whether said nozzle manifold may accommodate separate nozzles forliquids and gasses). The means of accessing and supplying gaseouselements for plant growth to the nozzle manifold 914 may be similar tothat for delivering water and/or nutrients to the nozzle manifold 914. Asupply of the elements—in this case gaseous (e.g., oxygen, nitrogen, andso on)—may be manifested by a storage tank located within thefertigation system and transferred to the nozzle manifold 914 by an airpump able to transfer pressurized air 1604 in the pressurized air system1602. Said storage tank, air pump, and a piping connection to the nozzlemanifold 914, may be devices and configurations known to those skilledin the art for delivering pressurized air from a tank to a manifold.

In one embodiment the configuration of delivering pressurized air asdescribed above may be under control of the control system in a mannerconsistent with said control system controlling the delivery of waterand/or nutrients from the day tank to the nozzle manifold via the firstpump and/or delivery from the mixing tank to the day tank via the secondpump.

Referring to FIG. 17, a fertigation system 1700 is illustrated.Embodiments of the system comprise a fresh water supply tank 1702, whichhaving drawn water from a water source 1704, retains a fresh watersupply. Said fresh water supply 1706 may feed a mixing tank 1710, or afresh water supply 1706 may feed directly to the nozzle manifold 914through a first pump 1714. The mixing tank 1710 receives the fresh watersupply 1706 from the fresh water supply tank 1702 and nutrients 1720from a nutrient supply 1708. The mixture of fresh water to nutrients,and the type and amount of nutrients, mixed in the mixing tank 1710depends on the type(s) of plants, seeds or seedlings, and/or shoots ofplants being supplied with fresh water and the nutrient supply 1708 inthe fertigation system 1700. A nutrient/water mixture 1718 from themixing tank 1710 may be fed by a second pump 1716 to a day tank 1712.The first pump 1714 may direct the nutrient/water mixture 1718 in themixing tank 1710 to the nozzle manifold 914. The first pump 1714 mayprovide pressure to inject the fresh water supply 1706 or nutrient/watermixture 1718 into plant vessels for fertigation through at least onenozzle 1410 of the nozzle manifold 914.

Fresh Water Supply Tank

“Fresh water supply” in this disclosure refers to a source of non-salinewater that may be used by plants. The fresh water supply tank 1702comprises a container well known to those skilled in the art forretaining a fresh water supply for a fertigation system. Its size may bevariable, from as small as 8 gallons (30 liters) to many times thiscapacity, depending on particular system needs—particularly as thesource for both the mixing tank 1710 and a direct water feed to thenozzle manifold 914. The tank may be typically made from insulated steelor temperature resistant plastic and include connecting piping to themixing tank 1710 and/or nozzle manifold 914 and first pump 1714.

Mixing Tank

“Mixing tank” in this disclosure refers to a container designed tocombine at least two substances, one of said substances typicallyliquid. In a fertigation system, a mixing tank may combine a fresh watersupply and nutrient supply in precisely calculated amounts designed forthe fertigation of plants. The mixing tank 1710 comprises a containerdesigned to combine a fresh water supply and nutrient supply inprecisely calculated amounts designed for the eventual fertigation ofthe plants, seeds or seedlings, and/or shoots of plants in the system.The mixing tank 1710, like the fresh water supply tank 1702, may be ofvarying size depending on system need and also includes features such astranslucency to ensure proper mixing in addition to supply measurement.Sources to the mixing tank may include the fresh water supply from thefresh water supply tank 1702 and nutrients from the nutrient supply1708, each measured and controlled by input and shut-off valves. A drainvalve may be included for emptying the tank as needed. The mixing tankmay also include an opening for accepting non-liquid additives 1722,such as fertilizers or nutrients in the form of a powder.

Nutrient Supply

“Nutrient supply” in this disclosure refers to fertilizers, nutrientadditives, mineral supplements, beneficial commensal microorganisms, andthe like, to optimize the growth conditions of plants when mixed withwater. The nutrient supply 1708 including the nutrients may comprisefertilizers, nutrient additives, mineral supplements, beneficialcommensal microorganisms, and the like, to optimize the growthconditions of plants, seeds or seedlings, and/or shoots of plants oncemixed with water and pumped to the nozzle manifold 914. Additionally, ifso desired, the nutrient supply 1708 may also comprise effective amountsof pesticides, selective herbicides, fungicides or other chemicals toremove, reduce, or prevent growth of parasites, weeds, pathogens, or anyother detrimental organisms. The formulation of nutrient recipes for thenutrient supply 1708 may be adjusted as appropriate for the variety ofthe plant produced and shipped.

Once a suitable nutrient/water mixture 1718 created from water from thefresh water supply tank 1702 and nutrients or other agents from thenutrients in the nutrient supply 1708 is reached, the nutrient/watermixture 1718 is pumped by a second pump 1716 to a day tank 1712. The daytank 1712 retains the nutrient/water mixture and, as per its name, feedsthe mixture to the nozzle manifold 914 on a daily basis. Thewater/nutrient mixture in the day tank 1712 is pumped to the nozzlemanifold 914 by utilizing a first pump 1714, so named as the first pumpin the fertigation system 1700.

First Pump

“First pump” in this disclosure refers to a mechanical device usingsuction or pressure to raise or move liquids. The first pump 1714 may bea standard fluid pump known to those skilled in the art using pressurefor transferring liquids between tanks in a fertigation system 1700 orfrom one tank to an outlet source like a nozzle manifold 914 or othercontainer. The first pump 1714 may be electric-powered or use analternate energy source (e.g., natural gas or propane) to create theneeded pressure. The first pump 1714 may also have a suitable range ofpressure (pounds per square inch, PSI) variability, e.g., from 5 to 90PSI and flow range, e.g., from 10 to 2000 liters/hour to accommodate theflow between the day tank 1712 and the nozzle manifold 914. In someembodiments, the first pump is a peristaltic pump.

Second Pump

“Second pump” in this disclosure refers to a mechanical device usingsuction or pressure to raise or move liquids. The second pump 1716 maybe a standard fluid pump known to those skilled in the art usingpressure for transferring liquids between tanks in a fertigation system1700 or from one tank to an outlet source like a nozzle or othercontainer. The second pump 1716 may be electric-powered or use analternate energy source (e.g., natural gas or propane) to create theneeded pressure. The second pump 1716 may have a suitable range ofpressure (pounds per square inch, PSI) variability, e.g., from 5 to 90PSI and flow range, e.g., from 10 to 2000 liters/hour to accommodate theflow between the mixing tank 1710 and day tank 1712. In someembodiments, the second pump is a peristaltic pump.

Day Tank

“Day tank” in this disclosure refers to a non-reactive container forstoring fluids to be used on a periodic, e.g., daily basis. For afertigation system, a day tank may contain a time-limited supply ofwater and/or nutrients previously mixed in a mixing tank. The day tank1712, as indicated by its name, contains a time-limited supply of fluidfor the fertigation system 1700. Owing to the changing nature of itsfluid supplies, and the customized nature of the delivery of same to theplants, seeds or seedlings, and/or shoots of plants, the fertigationsystem 1700 may not store its mixture of water and nutrient supply 1708for longer than a day or so. The means of shutting off the supply fromthe mixing tank 1710 may be an input valve, utilized in synchronizedfashion with the second pump 1716. The drain valve in the mixing tank1710 may remove excess liquids unneeded by the day tank 1712 underparticular conditions. Like the fresh water supply tank 1702 describedabove, the day tank 1712 may be typically made from insulated steel ortemperature resistant plastic, though like the mixing tank 1710 it mayin one embodiment be translucent to ensure proper mixing and a visualmeans of measuring supply. It may, like the fresh water supply tank 1702and mixing tank 1710, be of varying size depending on system need.

Nozzle Manifold

“Nozzle manifold” in this disclosure refers to a device or chambercapable of delivering liquid and/or gas substances, and branching intoat least one nozzle. The nozzle manifold 914 comprises piping or tubingfor transporting liquids or air to an at least one nozzle extending fromthis component. In one embodiment the nozzle manifold 914 may becylindrical in shape with the at least one nozzle extending from the topcircular surface through a manifold header. In another embodiment thenozzle manifold 914 may be in the form of an elongated tube with the atleast one nozzle extending from the side (e.g., curved portion) of saidelongated tube. The nozzle manifold 914 utilizing an at least one nozzlemay be in various shapes, configurations, and sizes suitable to punctureplant vessels situated in grow racks extracted from the grow module 100and placed in the fertigation system 1700. The methods by which nozzlesfertigate individual plants, seeds or seedlings, and/or shoots of plantswith fresh water and nutrients are discussed in detail later in thisdisclosure.

Fertigation Station

A fertigation station 902 may be a location where plants undergofertigation through the action of the components described above. In oneembodiment, the fertigation station 902 may comprise the day tank 1712,the first pump 1714, the second pump 1716, and the nozzle manifold 914.Grow modules 100 may be brought to the fertigation station 902, andtheir growing trays 108 removed so that plants in the growing tray 108may be fertigated. This process is described in greater detail insubsequent sections.

Referring to FIG. 18, an exemplary control system 1800 is illustrated.To provide a means to control at least the electrical, pneumatic,motive, and otherwise actuated and powered fertigation systemcomponents, the control system 1800 is disclosed. The control system1800 may comprise a panel with electrical wiring and switches, typicallycontained within a secured metal enclosure or other container forshielding electrical wiring, switches and similar components for passingelectrical power to other components such as drive mechanisms, pumps,and so forth, such as may be included in a stand alone cabinet, asindicated by control system 1802. In one embodiment, the control system1800 may comprise panels with electrical wiring and switches in multiplelocations, including but not limited to, the grow module 100, asindicated by control system 1804, the fertigation gantry 904 asindicated by control system 1806, the nozzle manifold, upper conveyor906, and lower conveyor 912, as indicated by control system 1808, theimaging station 908 as indicated by control system 1810, the trayelevator 910, as indicated by control system 1812, and other componentsthroughout a plant growing facility, for purposes of efficiency andbalancing of electrical load between power usage specific to the growmodule 100 (e.g., for lighting, fans, and so forth as previouslydiscussed), the fertigation station, etc. The control system 1800 mayadditionally be configured manually by an operator or by automated ormanual means under control of software able to send and receive commandsto and from the control system 1800. Any means may be used for passingsaid commands to/from an electrical control system 1800 (e.g.,containing a power source and electrical wiring and switches) aspresently described.

Control System

“Control system” in this disclosure refers to a device including aprocessor, logic, electrical wiring, switches, and similar components,for controlling and passing electrical power to other components ordevices. This may be housed within a secure enclosed container,typically metal or plastic, for shielding these components. In oneembodiment, the control system may synchronize and optimize all aspectsof the environment across the automated growing facility. This may beaccomplished to meet plant needs with precision for optimal plantexperience, growth, and harvest yield. The control system may receivesensor inputs indicating temperature, airflow, humidity, carbon dioxidelevels, and other ambient or environmental variables in the growingchambers or other parts of the automated growing facility. The controlsystem may adjust HVAC operation in order to counter, maintain, orenhance conditions indicated by sensor inputs.

In one embodiment, the control system may instruct the grow moduletransport devices to locate specific modules based on theirmachine-readable identification applied to each grow module.“Machine-readable identification” in this disclosure refers to a graphicor visible identifier able to be interpreted without human interaction.Exemplary machine-readable identification includes RFID or NFC devices,barcodes and quick response codes. The control system may also providethe grow module transport devices with the grow module's known location,known time elapsed since plants in a grow module were last fertigated,or other parameters. The control system may thus instruct a grow moduletransport device to find specific grow modules and transport them toappropriate stations based on algorithms or protocols determined forfacility operation, and based on known locations of stations throughoutthe facility.

In one embodiment, the control system may receive information on thetype of plants intended to be fertigated, the phase of growth plantswithin a grow module have reached, based on time elapsed since planting,images captured of the plants, or other data. Based on this data, anutrient input system may distribute desired levels of desired nutrientsinto the mixing tank. The control system may control an amount of freshwater mixed with the nutrients, a duration of mixing, and the additionof other elements. The control system may instruct a pump to move thenutrient/water mixture from the mixing tank to a day tank or a tank forimmediate use at the fertigation station. Based on machine-readableidentification for a grow module brought to the fertigation station, aswell as machine-readable identification for growing trays pulled fromthe grow module for fertigation, the control system may control thetiming, speed, and duration of operation for a pump delivering thenutrient/water mixture to the nozzle manifold.

In one embodiment, the control system may control the operation of thefertigation gantry lift, the tray movement system, the upper conveyorand lower conveyor, the camera tunnel or imaging station (having atleast one camera) and the tray elevator of the fertigation station. Inthis manner, based on weight or location sensors in one embodiment, thecontrol system may control the movement of growing trays as they areremoved from the grow module, placed on the conveyors, imaged,fertigated, and returned to the grow module. The control system may reada machine-readable identification provided on the growing tray, as wellas imaging data captured by the at least one camera, to determine themotion, speeds, durations, etc., for which each growing tray may behandled with optimal consideration for the needs of the seeds,seedlings, shoots of plants, or plants disposed within that growingtray. As indicated by the weight of plant vessels or otherconsiderations, the control system may instruct a vessel clamping systemoperating in concert with the injection system such that plant vesselsare secured and will not dislodged from or disrupted within theirgrowing tray during fertigation.

In one embodiment, the control system may receive input from sensorswithin the grow module, indicating temperature, humidity, airflow, orother conditions within the grow module. Based these inputs, inconjunction with known time elapsed since planting, imaging data forplants within the growing trays of the grow module, and/or otherparameters, the control system may control a ventilation system for thegrow module, as well as lighting channels powering LED patterns in thelighting arrays of the light trays within the grow module. In thismanner and as previously described, conditions experienced by seeds,seedlings, shoots of plants, and plants within the automated growingfacility, such as temperature, humidity, airflow, carbon dioxide levels,water, nutrients, light intensity, wavelength, and exposure, and more,may be controlled across the facility and down to a tray-by-tray orplant-by-plant granularity by the automated growing facility's controlsystem.

Referring to FIG. 19, a growing tray and plant vessels 1900 isillustrated.

In an embodiment, a plurality of grow racks may hold a variable numberof plant vessels, each plant vessel 1904 containing plants, seeds orseedlings, and/or shoots of plants. The number and type of plants, seedsor seedlings, and/or shoots of plants in the plant vessels in the growracks may be configured according to their collective fertigation needs,that is the lighting, air, and liquids needed for effective germinationand growth. “Plant vessel” in this disclosure refers to a containerdesigned to facilitate individual plant growth. The plant vessel mayinclude an outer membrane, an impervious outer vessel, a cover, asubstrate, a nutrient chamber, a pervious membrane, and a root zone.

Each grow rack containing a plurality of plant vessels may be containedwithin a growing tray 1902. As previously described, plants, seeds orseedlings, and/or shoots of plants growing in separate plant vessels maybe collected into grow racks according to their collective needs. Saidgrow racks, positioned into the growing tray 1902, may be extracted fromthe grow module by a tray movement system.

FIG. 20 illustrates a growing tray with tray inserts and plant vessels2000 in accordance with one embodiment. This growing tray 2002 may beconfigured to accept tray inserts 2004 designed to accommodatesausage-type plant vessels 2006. Other vessel types may be accommodated,either with or without tray inserts, depending on their configuration.Additional embodiments are described below.

Referring to FIG. 21, a plant vessel 2100 is illustrated. An imperviousouter vessel 2104 shows two stratified layers within its verticallyoriented walls 2122: an upper nutrient chamber containing nutrients 2118and a substrate 2114 layer containing a root zone and organic materialsproviding for the growth of seeds or seedlings. “Nutrient chamber” inthis disclosure refers to a stratified layer within an impervious outervessel containing nutrients for plant fertigation purposes. The nutrientchamber may be formed between a cover and a pervious membrane. Apervious membrane 2106 separates these two stratified layers, composedof a number of materials, such as membrane materials, with itspermeability gauged according to specific the specific plant type beinggrown. “Pervious membrane” in this disclosure refers to a type ofbiological or synthetic membrane allowing materials, typically but notexclusively liquids, to pass through it by diffusion. The imperviousouter vessel 2104 additionally contains a base 2102 for the purpose ofretaining excess water or substrate during transport or when individualplant vessels are contained within a fertigation system. “Imperviousouter vessel” in this disclosure refers to a plant vessel includingvertically oriented walls and a base. The impervious outer vessel mayalso include a cover, and a top rim. “Base” refers to the lowest portionor edge of an object, typically upon which the object rests or issupported. The top of the nutrient chamber 2112 comprises both a top rim2126 and a cover 2120 forming a seal at the top rim to ensure enclosureof the nutrients 2118. “Top rim” in this disclosure refers to the upperor outer edge of an impervious outer vessel, typically circular orapproximately circular. “Vertically oriented walls” in this disclosurerefers to supports of an object at substantially right angles to ahorizontal plane; in a direction, or having an alignment, such that thetop is directly or approximately above the bottom.

The cover 2120 contains a circular opening, a seed pocket 2124, intowhich seeds or seedlings 2128 are deposited into the substrate 2114through an aperture 2116. “Pocket” in this disclosure refers to a cavitycontaining a deposit, such as seeds, seedlings, or shoots of plants.Note the horizontal level of said aperture 2116 is below the perviousmembrane 2106, ensuring that the deposited seeds or seedlings 2128 avoiddirect contact with the nutrients 2118 is the nutrient chamber 2112. Thenutrients 2118 within the nutrient chamber 2112 are isolated from theseed pocket 2124, where a portion of the pocket proximate to thenutrient chamber 2112 is isolated from the nutrient chamber by a portionof the cover 2120 being sealed to the pervious membrane 2106, such thatthe nutrients 2118 do not come in contact with seeds or seedlings in theseed pocket 2124.

A fertigation system provides for water 2130 being added to theimpervious outer vessel 2104. The fertigation system commences with afreshwater supply being pumped through a plurality of nozzles puncturingthe base 2102 of the impervious outer vessel 2104. A raw water nozzle2108 or raw water nozzle 2110 supplies water 2130 to either the nutrientchamber 2112 or substrate 2114, depending on the fertigation needs of anindividual plant or set of plants. In particular, plants in the form ofseeds or seedlings 2128, e.g., in early development stage, may needwater 2130 in the substrate 2114 but not in the nutrient chamber 2112since the latter may be both unnecessary and potentially harmful untilgermination. Once the seeds or seedlings 2128 have germinated and areready to receive diluted nutrients, water passing through the raw waternozzle 2108 or raw water nozzle 2110 enters the nutrient chamber 2112 inprecisely measured amounts calibrated to the type of plant or plantswhose seeds or seedlings have germinated. The nutrients 2118 mixed withwater 2130 from the nozzles then pass through the pervious membrane 2106to enter the substrate 2114 stratified layer and fertilize thegerminated seeds or seedlings. The amount of permeability of thepervious membrane 2106 is again calibrated to the type of plant orplants whose seeds or seedlings have germinated.

Plant Vessel

The plant vessel 2100 (i.e., container) may be made of any appropriatematerial for facilitating storage of a plant. The basic requirementsinclude the ability to isolate the root mass and substrate 2114 with arelative moisture barrier. It is also preferred that the plant vessel2100 material be able to withstand minor impacts without breaching thebarrier provided. Finally, materials are optimally chosen to avoidleaching of chemicals into the substrate 2114.

In some embodiments, insulating materials are preferred for the plantvessel 2100. For example, if known shipping conditions may expose theplants to drastic temperature fluctuations, an insulated plant vessel2100 material may buffer the root mass and provide more stabletemperature in the substrate 2114. Thus, it may be desirable if extremetemperature increases may be avoided during the heat of the day, butmeanwhile some of that substrate heat is retained into the cool of thenight. Furthermore, an insulated material may reduce shock experiencedwith quick temperature fluctuations to which many plants aresusceptible. Slower temperature changes help keep the turgor pressure ofthe plant steady and maintain nutrient uptake and overall plant health,whereas a rapid temperature change disrupts this pressure and slows ortemporarily stays the uptake of the plant and results in poordevelopment and health.

Exemplary, non-limiting materials for the plant vessel 2100 includeappropriate plastics (e.g., polystyrene, polystyrene foam, orpolypropylene) and cellulose (with optional water barrier), and thelike. Plant vessel 2100 material may be sourced from plant-basedmaterials to minimize environmental impact due to their biodegradabilityand renewability. For example, plant vessel 2100 material may be sourcedfrom soy, corn, potato, soybeans, and the like.

In some embodiments, the plant vessel 2100, in single modular form, mayhave an internal volume from about 5 to about 500 cubic inches, fromabout 5 to about 100 cubic inches, from about 10 to about 75 cubicinches, from about 10 to about 50 cubic inches, and from about 10 toabout 25 cubic inches. In some embodiments, the plant vessel in singlemodular form has an internal volume of about 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30,35, 40, 50, 75, 100, 150, or 200 cubic inches.

While the plant vessel 2100 assembly is described above and illustratedas a single and distinct unit, the disclosed plant vessel 2100 assemblymay be repeated and/or serially expanded into an assembly with aplurality of connected plant vessel 2100 (e.g., with plants containedtherein), such as a tray or rack of one or more rows of plant vessels.

Cover

“Cover” in this disclosure refers to an object that lies on, over, oraround another object, especially in order to protect or conceal it.

As indicated above, the plant vessel 2100 assembly comprises a pliablecover substantially sealed against the plant vessel 2100. Typically, thecover 2120 is substantially sealed against the top rim 2126 of the plantvessel 2100. The sealing is typically completed after the substrate 2114is placed into the interior space of the plant vessel 2100. In someembodiments, the sealing is completed without a seed or plant part inthe substrate 2114. The seed or plant part may be inserted later throughthe aperture 2116 in the cover 2120.

The term “substantial sealed” and grammatical variants thereof indicatethat contact is maintained between the cover 2120 and the plant vessel2100 such that it substantially impedes air or vapor communicationbetween the interior and exterior of the impervious outer vessel 2104 toprevent non-transpiration water loss. In this regard, it is preferredthat the majority of all water loss from the interior of the imperviousouter vessel 2104 be the result of plant transpiration (i.e., when theplant has a leaf mass on the exterior of the plant vessel 2100) and notfrom evaporation and airflow between the interior space and theexterior. Use of “substantial” indicates that some evaporation orleaking is permitted, but the escape is slowed to maintain sufficienthydration within the substrate 2114 for a prolonged period of time. Thesealing may be implemented according to any appropriate method known inthe art, including use of heat sealing (to bond components together),gluing, or use of fasteners, such as clamps, elastic bands, and thelike, to maintain a substantial seal.

The pliable cover 2120 has at least one aperture 2116 that issufficiently large to provide ambient light penetration into theinterior space of the plant vessel 2100 such that the shoot extendingfrom a germinating seed may extend upward through the aperture 2116.However, the aperture 2116 may simultaneously be sufficiently small toallow contact with the sides of the stem of the growing plant once itgrows through the aperture 2116. Thus, the aperture 2116 is smaller thanthe crown of the plant being produced when at its mature stage ofgrowth. The contact between the stem and the aperture 2116 edge providesan additional seal to substantially prevent escape of humidity and,thus, preserve the hydration of the root mass while maintaining a lowerhumidity for the leaf mass. “Aperture” in this disclosure refers to anopening, hole, or gap, specifically through which shoots or shoots ofplants would pass during growth.

The cover 2120 is a pliable cover. The term “pliable” is used toindicate that the cover 2120 is flexible and may be moved or bent withthe application of pressure. Typically, the cover 2120 is overlaid onthe plant vessel 2100 in a relatively taut configuration and sealedagainst the rim of the plant vessel 2100, as described above. As theplant shoot/stem penetrates through the aperture 2116, the edge of theaperture 2116 contacts the stem to create a seal by function of thepressure applied by the stem. As the stem grows and expands in diameter,the stem applies additional pressure on the edge of the aperture 2116 inthe cover 2120. Due to the pliability of the cover 2120, the cover 2120yields to the increased pressure applied by the growing stem and theaperture 2116 expands to accommodate the increased stem width.Preferably, the pliability is such that the seal is maintained while notsignificantly impeding the growth of the stem.

The nature of the material used for the cover 2120 may be determined bytaking into account the specific plant variety of plant produced andstored in the plant vessel 2100. The weight and composition of themembrane material may be strong enough to stay adhered to the plantvessel 2100 and withstand the elements during storage/transport andgrowth of the plant. However, the cover 2120 may still be pliable enoughto allow the crown/stem of the plant to stretch and displace it whilematuring (as described above).

Exemplary cover 2120 materials include sheets of plastic, foil, and thelike. Illustrative, non-limiting examples of cover materials include:polystyrene, polypropylene, foil and metallic materials, plant-basedpolymers (e.g., sourced from corn, potato, soybeans, and the like). Themembrane may be any degree of opacity. In some embodiments, the covermaterial is capable of receiving print or embossing to accommodatebranding or other markings.

In some embodiments, the cover 2120 is substantially planar. However, insome embodiments, the cover has some topography configured to permit airto circulate in channels even if a planar leaf is disposed against thecover. For example, pronounced embossing of the membrane material, suchas foil, which is capable of holding its embossed pattern, may createchannels of airflow by creating separation from a contacting leaf. Thechannels prevent the decay of leaves that contact the membrane forextended periods of time during the production and distribution process.While the leaves do not require significant ventilation, the airchannels prevent leaf suffocation due to lamination of the flat surfaceof the leaves to the flat surface of a flat membrane. A certainvariation of texture of this membrane that created enough separationbetween the leaves and membrane, even if just a “course” texture, orchanneling, may suffice to prevent this suffocation and decay, forextended periods of time.

The number of apertures and the size of the apertures may vary dependingupon the variety of product being produced. In some embodiments, the atleast one aperture 2116 in the cover 2120 ranges from about 1/16 inch toabout ⅜ inch, depending upon the variety being produced.

The number and spacing of multiple apertures also depend upon thevariety of the product and the end product desired. Micro greens, edibleflowers and nutritional grasses may grow better with a frequency of upto about 30-40 apertures per square inch in the cover 2120. In contrast,plants with small leaf mass per seed, such as spinach, may grow betterwith about 1-5 apertures per square inch, such as 1-2 apertures persquare inch, to achieve the foliage density desired. Heading lettucestypically use one aperture in the center of the plant vessel 2100,unless a mix or blend of lettuces in a single plant vessel 2100 isdesired.

In some embodiments, the plant vessel 2100 assembly contains a mix ofmultiple plant types (e.g., lettuces). For example, in the embodimentwith multiple lettuce varieties, about 3-5 apertures may be placedevenly around the near perimeter of the membrane. The differentvarieties of lettuce are placed in these apertures, resulting in asingle plant vessel 2100 with a mix of living lettuce/greens in a singleproduct. The benefit of this specific embodiment for the producer isthat this “mixed” product is produced in a much shorter time frame asthe goal is to realize 3-4 petite products, taking 20-30 days of growingtime as opposed to a single variety of lettuce requiring up to 50 daysin the system in order to reach full size. The benefit to the consumeris that one may otherwise have to purchase 3-4 separate products inorder to realize this mix, or be confined to purchasing a “cut” mixedproduct of compromised freshness, longevity, appearance, and nutritionalvalue.

Pervious Membrane

The pervious membrane 2106 may be made of any material that allowsnutrients and water to flow through but allows the separation of thenutrients 2118 from the substrate 2114.

Nutrient Chamber

The nutrient chamber 2112 may include nutrients 2118 of any variety thatis beneficial for a specific type of plant. Examples include nitrogen,phosphorus, potassium, and calcium, but are not limited thereto.

The nutrient chamber 2112 may be constructed by creating seals betweenthe pervious membrane 2106 and the cover 2120, both at the outerdiameter near the portion of the cover applied to the top rim 2126, andaround the pocket portion of the cover. Nutrients 2118 may be addedbefore either seal is created, thereby forming the nutrient chamber2112.

In another embodiment, the nutrient chamber 2112 may be formed bystarting with a pillow shaped chamber with one side constructed of covermaterial and the other side constructed of pervious membrane 2106material, filled with nutrients 2118, that is sealed around itscircumference and is approximately the same size as the top rim 2126 ofthe plant vessel 2100. A center portion of the pervious membrane 2106 issealed to the center portion of the cover material to create the pocket(without an aperture 2116). In an embodiment, the pocket is formed andan aperture 2116 inside the pocket is made as part of the sealingprocess.

Substrate

The composition of the substrate 2114 (i.e., growth medium) isdetermined by the known requirements of the plant or plants beingcultivated in the plant vessel 2100. For example, different compositionsof soils are known for applications in cultivating a wide variety ofedible and ornamental plants.

The substrate 2114 may also comprise the additions of fertilizers,nutrient additives, mineral supplements, beneficial commensalmicroorganisms, and the like, to optimize the growth conditions.Additionally, if so desired, the substrate 2114 may also compriseeffective amounts of pesticides, selective herbicides, fungicides orother chemicals to remove, reduce, or prevent growth of parasites,weeds, pathogens, or any other detrimental organisms. The formulation ofnutrient recipes for the substrate 2114 may be adjusted as appropriatefor the variety of the plant produced and shipped. In some embodiments,the nutrient formulation may be modified by augmenting or even reducingspecific minerals to optimize and regulate the growth rate of the plantwithin the packaging, and maintain or enhance the color of the plant. Toillustrate, if a basil plant is suddenly placed in a dark environmentfor an extended period of time, the plant may initially accelerate itsgrowth rate in an attempt to “reach” for and regain the sunlight it nolonger receives. This type of rapid growth is problematic for packagedplants because it exhausts the energy and nutrient stores of the plant.Specific mineral recipes may reduce or slow this growth spurt during thestorage conditions, thus preserving and promoting long-term vibrancy ofthe plant. In addition, nutrient formulations may be routinely adjustedto promote keeping color and crispness while plant is packaged and intransport.

Optimized choice and assembly of the substrate 2114 may thus be based onvarious considerations of the plant being cultivated. A brief discussionof considerations is provided. First, different varieties of plants havedifferent root structures within the plant vessel 2100. The size (lengthand girth) of “mature” roots may occupy a large portion of the “limited”space within the plant vessel 2100. This may necessitate the use of anabsorbent and expansive material within the substrate to temporarilyexpand and occupy the substantial volume within the plant vessel 2100during germination. When at germination or early in the growth phase,the plant vessel 2100 volume is preferably filled mostly with substratein order to support the seed or young plant mass near the top andaperture 2116 of the membrane. The substrate is also ideally stable,minimized voids or shifting, to ensure that the seed/seedling remainsstable and in its position at or near the aperture 2116 for a sufficienttime to allow for germination extension of the stem through the aperture2116 and for the roots to penetrate into the substrate. As the rootsincrease in quantity and size, they may be able to “displace” thisoriginally expanded material and utilize the volume of area that theexpandable material was occupying. This allows the roots to fully matureand develop without becoming root bound and compressed too tightlywithin the plant vessel 2100.

Second, nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium are nutrients that contributeto rapid growth cycles of many plant varieties of interest. Many plantvarieties typically consume large amounts during their rapid growthcycle. These nutrients may not be “organically” sourced for water inwater-soluble methods of growing and are not compliant with the NationalOrganic Program (NOP) and United States Department of Agriculture(USDA). This means that “Organic Certification” as a hydroponic facilityis not possible. To overcome this and to facilitate organiccertification, calculated amounts of approved “organic” nitrogen,phosphorus and calcium nutrients may be included in the substrate 2114.However, to avoid problems of “nutrient toxicity”, i.e., burning fromthe intense sources of concentrated fertilizers, while still providingsufficient sources of nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium, the organicsources may be preprocessed prior to incorporation. This preprocessingentails exposure to relevant microbial activity before they are added.The exact quantities of the desired nutrients are calculated for thefull growth and expression of the subject plant. The source nutrientsare initially provided in compressed, pelleted form. The pellets areintroduced to a small colony of beneficial bacteria within thissubstrate combination. As the microbial activity commences, the colonyof bacteria is small and thus processes a small amount of the organicnutrients. As this processing continues, the byproducts of thismicrobial-driven breakdown are now able to be taken up by the plants'roots. As time goes on, the colony of bacteria and microbial activityincreases, resulting in more and more nutrients being made available tothe plant roots. Because the reproduction of this microbial colony isexponential, so is the processing and availability of the nutrients.This process results in a controlled time release of absorbable forms ofthe nutrients. This process prevents nutrient toxicity in the beginningstages of the plants' development and provides amounts of absorbablenutrients commensurate with the growing demand of the growing plant,including in the final trimester of growth when the demands are highest.This process is critically essential to the success of growing fullyexpressed plants in exceptionally small and sealed plant vessels.

Third, considering that the plant vessel 2100 is sealed, the additionaloxygen to the root system may enter by way of introducing the water forhydration. Oxygen is contained in or on the surface of the water and iscarried to the plant roots. If this oxygen level is not sufficient,organically approved oxidizing agents may be added to the substrate topromote further oxygenation in the root zone.

In some embodiments, the substrate 2114 further comprises a thickeningagent. The thickening agent creates an effect that is similar to anaturally occurring event in the plant's life. When the end of a growingseason is nearing, the plant may experience certain environmentalsignals that induce the plant to produce latex. The environmentalsignals are often based on increasing scarcity of resources. Forexample, the length of day shortens, sunlight intensity reduces,hydration might reduce, or food for the plant is scarce. Latex in alettuce plant, for example, is thicker than water and very bitter intaste. The plant produces this latex to slow circulation and, thus, slowthe perishing process and extend its life long enough for the plant toquickly go to seed and flower for self-preservation of the species. Likenatural latex, the thickening agent slows the plant's transpiration rateand, thus, slows the plant's uptake of water from the substrate 2114during the prolonged period of storage in the plant vessel 2100assembly. Furthermore, the metabolism and growth is correspondinglyslowed and, thus, conserves nutrients. This effective “rationing” ofwater maintains the moisture level in the substrate 2114 for a longerperiod of time and prevents the plant from exhausting the lifesupporting resources during shipping. This extends resiliency of theplant during storage of and improves the final product in themarketplace.

Exemplary, non-limiting thickening agents include agar and gelatin-basedproducts.

Agar-agar is a vegan based gelatin, made from algae. Agar-agar may beused, depending on the shelf life extension desired, with certainvarieties of produce. By mixing this gelatin in water, with a specificratio, one may manipulate the viscosity of water (with or withoutnutrients). By increasing the viscosity (slightly thickening the waterto a mild gelatin-like substance), the circulation of water throughoutthe plant slightly coagulates and slows. This slows the uptake of thismoisture by the plant. It also slows the transpiration (moisture emittedfrom leaf surface) of the plant. By doing so, the moisture in the plantvessel 2100 lasts longer, as the plant is using it more slowly.

While not all varieties necessitate the use of a thickening agent, oragar-agar, it may be included for most plants at various concentrationsdepending upon the desired shelf life and expected environmentalconditions likely to be experienced during distribution and subsequentdisplay. To illustrate, a single lettuce plant and variety in asix-ounce plant vessel 2100 may contain four-five ounces of hydration.In this example, one-two parts agar-agar to 99-98 parts water(respectively), is beneficial for maintaining long term vibrancy of thelettuce. The concentration and water content relative to the substrate2114 may be further optimized based on the plant variety and intendeduse.

Referring to FIG. 22, the plant vessel top view 2200, illustrating thetop view of the plant vessel 2100 as shown in FIG. 21. As shown, thecircular cover 2202 fits over the smaller but also circular top rim2204, forming a seal to encase the nutrients in the uppermost stratifiedlayer of the impervious outer vessel. At the center of both the cover2202 an underlying top rim 2204, a seed pocket 2206 forms a circularcutout in the center of both the top rim 2204 and cover 2202. At thebase of the seed pocket 2206, an aperture 2208 provides an openingthrough which a growing plant forms a seal preventing the nutrients inthe nutrient chamber from harming the seedlings or shoots of plantsgrowing up through the seed pocket 2206.

Referring to FIG. 23, a plant vessel with shoots 2300 is illustratedshowing a plant having matured to the point of sending out shoots andestablishing roots in a root zone 2304 within the substrate 2316.“Substrate” in this disclosure refers to a biologically and chemicallyunreactive material that a plant may grow in or on. “Root zone” in thisdisclosure refers to the area of oxygen and soil (substrate) surroundingthe roots of a plant.

As shown, the impervious outer vessel or tray insert 2306 retains itscomponent parts as previously illustrated in FIG. 20, namely the base2302, cover 2322, top rim 2328, vertically oriented walls 2324, seedpocket 2326, and aperture 2318. Inside the impervious outer vessel ortray insert 2306, the upper nutrient chamber 2314 and lower substrate2316 are separated by a pervious membrane 2308 and a plurality ofnozzles such as raw water nozzle 2312 and raw water nozzle 2312penetrate the impervious outer vessel or tray insert 2306 base 2302 tofeed water to the nutrient chamber 2314, the substrate 2316, or somecombination of the two during the fertigation process.

Having germinated and grown, a plant as manifested by a shoot or shootsof plants 2310 extends through the aperture 2318 and seed pocket 2326,sending roots through a root zone 2304 in the substrate 2316. To preventthe shoots of plants 2310 from being damaged by direct contact with thenutrients 2320, a seal is formed at the aperture 2318 when the plantitself pushes through the aperture 2318 into the seed pocket 2326 andfurther extends its growth above the impervious outer vessel or trayinsert 2306.

FIG. 24A—FIG. 24B illustrate a tray insert with plant vessel 2400 inaccordance with one embodiment. The tray insert with plant vessel 2400comprises a tray insert 2402 with a plant vessel in place. The plantvessel may be a sausage-type plant vessel 2404 as shown and may restwithin the vessel cavity 2406 of the tray insert 2402 as shown.

The pressure ridges 2412 may be seen here exerting an inward pressure onthe sausage-type plant vessel 2404 such that the sausage-type plantvessel 2404 may deform around the pressure ridges 2412, increasing thesurface area of the sausage-type plant vessel 2404 in contact with thepressure ridges 2412 and thus increasing the friction forces exerted tohold the sausage-type plant vessel 2404 secure within the vessel cavity2406. Gripper hold-down slots 2414 are also shown which would allow agripper 2408 to hold the sausage-type plant vessel 2404 in place, asindicated. The gripper 2408 may include portions that span the top ofthe sausage-type plant vessel 2404 across the vessel cavity 2406 asshown or may include fingers that extend from the bottom of the trayinsert 2402 up through the gripper hold-down slot 2414 and over thevessel cavity 2406 in another embodiment, or may be otherwise configuredsuch that the gripper 2408 may exert a downward counterpressure againstthe pressure from the fertigation needles.

FIG. 24B illustrates a bottom view of the tray insert with plant vessel2400. The sausage-type plant vessel 2404 may be seen through thefertigation holes 2410 resting on the bottom of the vessel cavity 2406.In this manner, fertigation needles inserted into the fertigation hole2410 as illustrated in FIG. 15 may contact, pierce, and penetrate theouter membrane of the sausage-type plant vessel 2404, in order to injectwater and nutrients (i.e., fertigate) the substrate within the outermembrane, along with the seed or plant contained therein.

FIG. 25 illustrates a grow module transported via AVG 2500 in accordancewith one embodiment. Grow modules 100 may be transported around anautomated growing facility in a number of ways. In one embodiment, agrow module 100 may be transported using an automated guided vehicle(AGV) 2502.

The AGV may be both a lifting and transport system. All aspects of thegrowing system, including but not limited to: AGV, HVAC, fertigationstation, lighting, horizontal air-flow, hydration, nutrient composition,carbon dioxide, ozone, oxygen, etc., may be controlled. At any giventime, the control system managing these aspects may know the layout andcontents of a chamber, the number of modules in that chamber, thelocation of each module within the chamber, the number of trays withineach module, the variety of plants on each tray, the age of each plantwithin each tray, and the ideal care instructions for each plant withina tray. This inventory of plants (variety, age, location, dailyinstruction, etc.) may be contained within the control system and may beindexed using QR codes on an individual tray level in one embodiment. Byscanning the QR code of each module, and each tray, optimal caredata/instruction may be retrieved from the control system and executedby the equipment/system, including how often the AGV needs to fetch amodule, to fertigate (feed and irrigate), photograph, adjust lightingverticality, load and unload, package, etc.

Tray level QR codes may be referenced during the removal of trays forfertigation. Module level QR codes may be referenced during transportand may be scanned at various locations to maintain accurate inventoryand location of modules, i.e., when presented to the fertigationstations, when presented to a light adjust station, when passing into orout of a chamber, when being harvested or being populated with seeds(load/unload station), when presented to the sterilization chamber, etc.Thus, the plant is a fraction of the tray, the tray is a fraction of themodule, the module is a fraction of the chamber, the chamber is afraction of the facility. The transport of “plants” throughout all areasand phases of a facility may be tracked by QR codes on varioushierarchies of the facility/system. QR codes may also be placed alongthe floor of the facility and scanned by the AGVs to indicate positionaldata as they move to provide location references to their internalguidance systems. In one embodiment, trays may have radio frequencyidentification (RFID) tags affixed, instead of utilizing QR codes. RFIDtags may also be used on grow modules, but not on trays. Memory datatracking may be used for trays along with RFID tracking in oneembodiment.

The methods, apparatuses, and systems in this disclosure are describedin the preceding on the basis of several preferred embodiments.Different aspects of different variants are considered to be describedin combination with each other such that all combinations that uponreading by a skilled person in the field on the basis of this documentmay be regarded as being read within the concept of the invention. Thepreferred embodiments do not limit the extent of protection of thisdocument.

Having thus described embodiments of the present invention of thepresent application in detail and by reference to illustrativeembodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications andvariations are possible without departing from the scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A grow module comprising: a plurality of tray modules including a light tray over a growing tray, the light tray including: a lighting array; and at least one sensor; and the growing tray adapted to hold a plurality of plant vessels; and a machine-readable identification; wherein the grow module is configured to hold the plurality of tray modules in a vertically stacked configuration; and wherein the lighting array on the light tray is configured to provide light to the plurality of plant vessels on the growing tray in the grow module directly under said light tray.
 2. The grow module of claim 1, further comprising: attachment and support hardware configured to adjustably secure and support the plurality of growing trays in the vertically stacked configuration within the grow module, wherein the attachment and support hardware is further configured to adjustably secure and support the plurality of light trays, arranged such that each of the plurality of growing trays is positioned beneath one of the plurality of light trays.
 3. The grow module of claim 1, further comprising a grow module base.
 4. The grow module of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor measures light, temperature, or humidity within the grow module.
 5. The grow module of claim 1, wherein the machine-readable identification is a barcode, a quick response (QR) code, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) device, or a Near Field Communication (NFC) device.
 6. The grow module of claim 1, further comprising a control system to control at least one of a plurality of lighting arrays, at least one fan, and at least one power supply, wherein the at least one power supply supplies power to the plurality of lighting arrays, the at least one fan, and the at least one sensor.
 7. The grow module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of plant vessels comprise: an impervious outer vessel including a substrate in a root zone; a cover over the impervious outer vessel; a pervious membrane in contact with the substrate; a nutrient chamber including nutrients, wherein the nutrient chamber is between the cover and the pervious membrane, and the nutrients are in contact with the pervious membrane; and a pocket allowing plants, seeds or seedlings access to the substrate through an aperture in the cover and the pervious membrane.
 8. The grow module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of lighting arrays comprise light emitting diode (LED) lights using power from the at least one power supply.
 9. A method of growing plants, seeds or seedlings, comprising: using a fertigation system to extract a growing tray comprising a plurality of plant vessels from a grow module; the grow module comprising: a plurality of tray modules including a light tray over the growing tray, the light tray including:  a lighting array; and  at least one sensor; and the growing tray adapted to hold the plurality of plant vessels; and a machine-readable identification; wherein the grow module is configured to hold the plurality of tray modules in a vertically stacked configuration; and wherein the lighting array on the light tray configured to provide light to the plurality of plant vessels on the growing tray in the grow module directly under said light tray; the fertigation system including: a tray movement system for extracting the growing tray from the grow module and placing the growing tray back into the grow module; a tray elevator for lowering and raising the growing tray; a first pump in fluid communication with at least one of a fresh water supply and a nutrient/water mixture; and a nozzle manifold in fluid communication with at least one of the first pump, the fresh water supply, and the nutrient/water mixture, the nozzle manifold comprising:  a manifold header; and  at least one nozzle in fluid communication with the manifold header, wherein the at least one nozzle is configured to inject at least one of the fresh water supply and the nutrient/water mixture supplied by the first pump into the plurality of plant vessels on the growing tray,  the plurality of plant vessels including:  plants, seeds or seedlings; and  a substrate in a root zone; raising or lowering the growing tray toward the plurality of nozzles; injecting at least one of nutrients, and the fresh water supply into the plurality of plant vessels; and placing the growing tray back into the grow module.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one sensor measures light, temperature, or humidity within the grow module.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the machine-readable identification is a barcode, a quick response (QR) code, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) device, or a Near Field Communication (NFC) device.
 12. The method of claim 9, further comprising a control system to control at least one of the tray movement system, the tray elevator, the first pump, the lighting array, the at least one fan, the at least one sensor, and the at least one power supply.
 13. The method of claim 9, further comprising injecting pressurized air into the root zone using the plurality of nozzles, wherein the nozzle manifold is in fluid communication with the pressurized air.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein the fertigation system further comprises at least one of: at least one camera, wherein the at least one camera captures video or images of at least one the plant vessels and seedlings and plants growing in the plant vessels; a mixing tank in fluid communication with the fresh water supply; a nutrient supply in fluid communication with the mixing tank; a second pump in fluid communication with the mixing tank; a day tank in fluid communication with the first pump and the second pump; and fluid communication between the nozzle manifold and pressurized air.
 15. A plant growing system comprising: a plurality of plant vessels; a grow module comprising: a plurality of tray modules including a light tray over a growing tray; the light tray including: lighting array; at least one fan; at least one sensor; and at least one power supply; the growing tray adapted to hold the plurality of plant vessels; a grow module base; a machine-readable identification on the light tray; and a grow rack configured to rest on the grow module base, the grow rack configured to hold the plurality of tray modules in a vertically stacked configuration; the lighting array on the light tray providing light to the plurality of plant vessels on the growing tray in the grow rack directly under said light tray; a fertigation system including: a tray movement system for extracting the growing tray from the grow module and placing the growing tray back into the grow module; a tray elevator for lowering and raising the growing tray; a first pump in fluid communication with a fresh water supply; a nozzle manifold in fluid communication with at least one of the first pump and the fresh water supply; and the nozzle manifold comprising: a manifold header; and a plurality of nozzles in fluid communication with the manifold header, wherein the plurality of nozzles are configured to inject at least one of nutrients supplied by the first pump and water from the fresh water supply into the plurality of plant vessels on the growing tray, and the plurality of plant vessels including: an impervious outer vessel including a substrate in a root zone; a cover over the impervious outer vessel; a pervious membrane in contact with the substrate; a nutrient chamber including nutrients, wherein the nutrient chamber is between the cover and the pervious membrane, and the nutrients are in contact with the pervious membrane; and a pocket allowing a seed or seedling access to the substrate through an aperture in the cover and the pervious membrane.
 16. The plant growing system of claim 15, further comprising a control system to control at least one of the tray movement system, the tray elevator, the first pump, the lighting array, the at least one fan, the at least one sensor, and the at least one power supply.
 17. The plant growing system of claim 15, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to measure light, temperature, or humidity within the grow module.
 18. The plant growing system of claim 15, wherein the fertigation system further comprises at least one of: at least one camera, wherein the at least one camera captures video or images of the plants, or the seeds or seedlings; a mixing tank in fluid communication with the fresh water supply; a nutrient supply in fluid communication with the mixing tank; a second pump in fluid communication with the mixing tank; a day tank in fluid communication with the first pump and the second pump; and fluid communication between the nozzle manifold and pressurized air.
 19. The plant growing system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of nozzles puncture the impervious outer vessel and the pervious membrane of the plant vessels without puncturing the cover.
 20. The plant growing system of claim 15, wherein the machine-readable identification is a barcode, a quick response (QR) code, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) device, or a Near Field Communication (NFC) device. 